Yesterday Victoria welcomed back the last team of experienced relief and recovery personnel, who have been assisting communities in north east Queensland in their recovery effort following widespread flooding.
Unprecedented rainfall last month in north east Queensland caused devastating flooding and millions of dollars of damage to property and livestock.
The deployment included 92 Department of Health and Human Services personnel and four personnel from Emergency Management Victoria who made up four teams on seven-day rotations.
The teams filled a variety of roles including outreach and working from relief hubs directly supporting impacted community members and assessing their support needs.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Victorians were doing an important job working face to face with communities and connecting them to support services.
“Although the impacts of the floods will be felt for months and years to come, the assistance provided by Victoria has helped to ensure vital support has been provided to community members in need,” he said.
More than 55,000 financial support grants, totaling more than $22 million, has been made to those experiencing significant hardship due to the floods.
Mr Crisp said a national partnership was so important before, during and after emergencies.
"Currently in Victoria we have around 200 personnel assisting us in fire-related roles, so this deployment is an opportunity for Victoria to support Queensland for flood recovery,” he said.
“There is no doubt that everyone will have unique stories of their experiences to share with family, friends and colleagues, and there will be opportunities for all of us, across the agencies, to learn from their experience.”
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.