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North-West Queensland Graziers Count Massive Cattle Losses as Floods Cut Off Towns and Trigger Emergency Fodder Airlifts
Communities across north-west Queensland are battling some of the worst flooding in decades, with thousands of cattle lost, towns isolated and emergency fodder drops underway as governments roll out an initial $2 million support package for graziers.
Flood impact on graziers and towns
- Farmers around Winton, McKinlay and Richmond report about 16,500 cattle dead or missing after the Western River at Winton reached major flood level, peaking at 4.05 metres.
- Local leaders say parts of McKinlay Shire are experiencing worse flooding than in 2019, with many residents comparing the prolonged inundation to the infamous 1974 floods.
- Roads in and out of several communities remain cut, leaving properties isolated and delaying efforts to assess stock losses and inspect damaged fencing, yards and internal station roads.
Human and animal welfare concerns
- Mayors Janene Fegan (McKinlay) and John Wharton (Richmond) warn some graziers have “lost everything”, with no income and the emotional toll of discovering extensive stock losses once waters recede.
- Mental health is emerging as a critical issue, with calls for a disaster support package on the scale of 2019 to prevent a wave of stress, depression and trauma in already battle‑weary bush communities.
- Animal welfare is central to the response, with cattle that have survived days in floodwater now at risk of disease, skin conditions and pneumonia, requiring urgent feed and later veterinary support.
Helicopter fodder drops and emergency logistics
- Helicopters are now a lifeline across the flooded north‑west, ferrying hay bales to stranded stock on any remaining high ground and, in some cases, pushing cattle to safety through chest‑deep water.
- Fodder drops are already underway across parts of McKinlay Shire, including around Julia Creek, with operators reporting tens of thousands of dollars in fuel and hay costs in just a few days of flying.
- Local disaster dashboards show major flood warnings along the Western and Flinders river systems, with key roads such as the Flinders Highway between Julia Creek and Richmond closed by floodwaters.
Government relief and funding
- The Queensland and Australian Governments have jointly activated a $2 million Coordinated Emergency Support Package targeted at graziers in Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond Shires.
- This funding, under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, is specifically designed to underwrite the cost of jet fuel, helicopter hire and associated wages for aerial fodder distribution to stranded cattle and sheep.
- Affected primary producers in Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Croydon, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond can also access low‑interest disaster recovery loans of up to $250,000 through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) to repair damaged infrastructure and restock over time.
Ongoing threat and calls for long‑term support
- While heavy rainfall has eased, riverine flooding remains widespread across northern and western Queensland, with further rises possible as upstream flows move through already swollen catchments.
- A developing tropical low in the northern Coral Sea carries around a 35 per cent chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone, raising fears that already saturated areas could face another round of dangerous rain and renewed flooding later in the week.
- Producer groups and local leaders are urging state and federal authorities to move quickly from emergency fodder drops to a broader recovery package, including freight subsidies, infrastructure repair grants, mental health services and support to rebuild herds over several seasons.
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