Australian charity foundation Trans-Help has raised concerns over the health of the transport industry in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Queensland. Trans-Help CEO Dianne Carroll said the floods, which left 75 percent of the state a disaster zone, have endangered income and work for the employees of Australia’s transport companies.
“The restocking of shelves, the removal of the debris, the delivery of timber and furniture, the reconstruction of roads and the supply of fuel are reliant on the Australian transport drivers,” Dianne said. “Transport drivers across the country have been vastly affected by the devastating floods that have swept the nation, but their work is expected, not appreciated or acknowledged.
“Whilst some trucks have been washed away, other drivers have been stranded for days, fully laden with freight. Some were traversing flooded roads and dangerous conditions in hope to get supplies through, as most trucks and drivers are paid per km.” But with many warehouses and transport depots flooded their destination for unloading would be still unknown, Dianne said.
“One driver was stranded for 8 days; others entered raging flood waters to save lives in the height of the devastation. Those parked up on roadsides, with up to 250 in one area, run out of money and food, with some being flood affect themselves, leaving their families at home to face the devastation.”
The Trans-Help Foundation, dedicated to support transport drivers and their families, has called upon fuel and finance companies to negotiate with transport operators and be lenient with non-payment in the interim. “We are hoping the government will extend the crisis payment and support to transport families affected by this disaster,” Dianne Carroll said.
