Friday 3 February 2012

Queensland Reconstruction Authority fails to speed up recovery



Mission Beach protesters vent anger at cyclone Yasi service

AAP
Thursday, February 2, 2012
© The Cairns Post

Cyclonic Yasi victims have staged an angry protest outside a commemorative service on the first anniversary of the devastating storm.

Premier Bligh leads cyclone Yasi remembrance service in Tully
The group of Mission Beach residents said they were annoyed at  the lack of recovery in the town and confronted their federal  independent MP Bob Katter as he left the event at St Clare's  Catholic Church in Tully on Thursday morning.

Protest spokesman Boyd Scott, who runs a backpackers` hostel in  Mission Beach, said very little had been done to repair tourism  infrastructure.  "The one thing that could've been fixed straight after Cyclone  Yasi - tourism - hasn't been and it's just a no-brainer," Mr Scott  told AAP.  "Nothing at all has been done. Tourism infrastructure is just  not a priority." 


Mr Katter told the protesters he had a "Violent fight" with the  Cassowary Coast Regional Council to hurry up the spending of relief  funds.

The category five cyclone tore through the Cassowary Coast  region of north Queensland on February 3 last year, damaging  thousands of homes, businesses and farms.

Inside the multi-denominational service, Queensland Premier Anna  Bligh said the residents of the Cassowary Coast had been  inspirational in their recovery from the cyclone.  "We all know that the community of the Cassowary Coast and Point  Hinchinbrook were sorely tested last year," she said. "But when you were sorely tested, we know that you were not  found wanting. "We give thanks to all of those from this community and from all  around Queensland and Australia who reached out, who opened our  hearts and gave us a hand when we needed it."

The service was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Wayne  Swan and Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley.


                       ________________   |  _______________

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.