‘Stuck in recovery mode’: far north Queensland still waiting to rebuild after ex-Cyclone Jasper

Flood-damaged furniture and belongings on the street in Machans Beach in Cairns late last year. More than 75 homes in the area are still vacant and awaiting repairs. Photograph: Brian Cassey/AAP

Far north Queensland is “stuck in recovery mode” after ex-Cyclone Jasper caused catastrophic flooding, Warren Entsch says.

The weather system crossed the coast near the remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal, 120km north of Cairns, in mid December, dumping more than a metre of rain on surrounding communities. The army was mobilised as people fled to rooftops to survive the flood waters, and the entire population of Wujal Wujal was evacuated.