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DECEMBER 13, 2024
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It’s been a year since Cyclone Jasper but many are ...
Still not home yet l NORTHERN BEACHES | Isabella Guzman Gonzalez ONE year on from Cyclone Jasper and the devastating floods in the Far North, recovery remains out of reach for some, and two of those families have taken us through their journey of resilience, highlighting the unbreakable spirit of this unyielding community.
Although the signs of devastation are slowly disappearing, roads have been repaired and the mud has long been cleared out, the wounds are still open for hundreds of families who are still living through the trauma of losing their homes, their memories and their sense of safety. This was the case for Liz and Damon Sieverts from Holloways Beach and Kirby Murtha and Jason Fagan from Machans Beach who one year after the tragedy
‘Fluoride can get stuffed’ l POR T SMI T H | Nick Dalton
Damon (left), Liz and Jamie Sieverts from Holloways Beach lost their home during the December 2023 floods and are yet to return. Absent: Alexander and Mitchell Sieverts. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez
are yet to return home. Their testimonies highlight the resilience of a community who keeps standing up in the face of tragedy. In the meantime, insurance companies say 10,398 claims have topped $401 milion with close to 85 per cent finalised. However, they acknowledge that it is still taking time to finalise all claims and get houses and businesses repaired. “Insurers acknowledge that recovery
following Tropical Cyclone Jasper has been challenging. This is largely due to complex damage caused by flooding, storm surge and damaging winds,” said an Insurance Council of Australia spokeswoman. As well, Cairns ratepayers are facing a $25m debt to fix up public infrastructure due to not being eligible for some government grants.
FULL COVERAGE PAGES 10-11
CAIRNS Regional Council will not reintroduce fluoride to the region’s water supply – but it was not unanimous. Cr Anna Middleton (Div.7), along with Cr Trevor Tim (Div. 4) and Cr Rob Pyne (Div.5) spoke passionately in favour of fluoride, arguing it would improve the overall health and wellbeing of residents during Wednesday’s final council meeting of the year. But Mayor Amy Eden, deputy mayor Brett Olds and councillors Brett Moller (Div.1), Matthew Tickner (Div.2), Cathy Zeiger (Div.3) and Kristy Vallely (Div. 4) accepted an officer’s recommendation “that (the) council notes that fluoride is not currently added to the potable public water supplies and reaffirms its current position: not to fluoridate the Cairns Regional Council water supply”. Cr Rhonda Coghlan (Div.8) was absent. There was thunderous applause from anti-fluoride protestors while supporters left the meeting in disgust. At times the packed and noisy public gallery shouted over and threw insults at councillors. Cr Olds, who moved the recommendation be endorsed, said council surveys showed there was no overwhelming support for fluoride. CONTINUED PAGE 2