Early in 2009, the Gulf of Carpentaria experienced severe flooding, causing significant damage to the tropical savannah environments, as well as to infrastructure, local industries and community morale. An active monsoon trough and several low pressure systems continuously flooded some areas of the Gulf for over 12 weeks. Millions of hectares were inundated, with some 90% of the savannah landscape lost or damaged, in some areas.
As a part of the local community, Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGRMG) leapt into action, supporting the Local Disaster Management Group, Queensland Emergency Services and the Etheridge Shire Council with mapping and GIS services, and hands-on relief support, including food and fuel resupply.
John Bethel, Chair of NGRMG, worked with NGRMG staff to provide a support and information network to locals, government and the media, in particular, working with landholders, Agforce and the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management to coordinate all possible assistance. A blog site was established for locals to stay informed of the event and the assistance available through various government agencies, and John’s work with state and national media was successful in raising awareness of the floods throughout Australia.
“The impacts are so far reaching, and so long term,” said John. “Obviously, the floods have battered towns and landholders, causing damage which we’re slowly tallying up. But there will also be long term environmental impacts, including, for example, on the savannah seed banks, which are much harder to measure.”
NGRMG General Manager, Noeline Gross said, “Events such as these cause such far reaching landscape changes, displacing topsoil and seed banks over vast areas, and possibly changing the region’s vegetation for years to come.
“The impacts we’ve seen include total loss of grass cover (from three tonnes per hectare of grass to none), putrid waters with significant fish kills – and even crocodile deaths – and perished understory biodiversity, including complete termite colonies. Severe tree thickening and weed seed dispersal is also occurring, accentuated by lack of competition from a grassy layer, and we expect total loss of some species of perennial grass and potentially other biota. Finally, industry downturn is expected to be in the order of 70-80% for some properties over a period of three to four years.
“Only consecutive good wet seasons and careful environmental recovery will repair the legacy left by the 2009 Gulf floods,” Noeline said.
Noeline has since worked with local councils and the Gulf Savannah Development Organisation to draft a flood recovery plan, outlining goals to help achieve community, environmental, infrastructure and economic recovery.
“In a remote area like the Gulf, people and organisations need to work cooperatively with all governments for the betterment of our future in the region. The NGRMG will continue to assist the region over the years to re-build and regain the healthy environment and growing economies that existed prior to this extreme flood event.”
