Patience post-Debbie

Council is calling for patience from the community as the clean-up in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie continues with 24 council crews still on the ground.
Parks and natural areas co-ordinator Sara Cooke said staff were working through more than 600 requests from residents about fallen or damaged trees and storm debris.
“We really appreciate residents’ patience as we work through a very long list of requests,” Ms Cooke said.
“We will get to all of the requests as soon as possible, but it may take a little longer than usual given the number and nature of the requests we’re dealing with because of the storm.
“But the community can rest assured we have all hands on deck to assist us with the clean-up. We have seven tree crews and nine council parks and natural areas crews clearing up vegetation, making areas safe and assisting residents with debris.”
Ms Cooke said the initial priority had been making sure the busy public areas within the shire were safe.
It’s a similar story for council road crews, said council’s works co-ordinator Edwin Hamill, with eight crews out and about the coastal area where most of the wind damage occurred. Council’s hinterland crews are busy dealing with damage caused by flooding.
“Again, we appreciate residents’ patience as we work through the clean-up, and we will get to each job as quickly as possible,” Ms Cooke said.