Quadriders to the rescue

Local quadbike riders respond to a disaster, the way they know how

After Cyclone Yasi, local members of FNQuadriders Inc volunteered their time, quad bikes and chainsaws, helping to remove fallen trees and debris along the Cassowary Coast, in particular the worst hit area of Tully. The compact nature of the quad bikes meant they were able to get into places that standard vehicles could not, then chain-sawing fallen trees and dragging them to a safe place by attaching chains and working in tandem. The group has even assisted with the recovery of overturned 4WD’s.

The FNQuadriders group has 62 members, and was founded in 2009. At the time of Cyclone Yasi, only two of the riders had chainsaw certificates, however, many had chainsaws, and they worked tirelessly for many days to help residents gain access to their homes and businesses. This work meant that residents could more easily contact their neighbours and families, and the service was immensely appreciated by these small communities.

They applied to Round 6 of the Repair-Restore-Renew program for a grant to fund accredited chainsaw training for their members, who are keen to assist in future disaster events. The training would enable them to work safely in a volunteer capacity, and they would acquire the knowledge to properly assess each situation.

Overwhelmed residents see clear benefits for the group's funding application

The project had a high level of support from Tully Heads residents – who were "overwhelmed at the spontaneous generosity and goodwill of these ‘angels’”. The residents’ letter said that the quadriders’ help was invaluable in restoring their flagging spirits.

In another letter of support, Sarah Dean, Senior Advisor of Disaster Management at the TRC wrote:  “The benefits to the Far North region will be endless. Disasters have serious impacts on the well-being of communities at a time when the resources of the emergency services and other response agencies are stretched, meaning immediate support may not always be available. It is therefore vital that communities take steps to enhance community resilience and be self-reliant for a period of time.”

With accreditation, the benefits will continue

A grant of $10,600 was awarded and 10 men gained training in operating and maintaining chainsaws, felling trees and trimming and crosscutting felled trees. The blokes are now available to a host of organisations including local councils, SES and DAFF in the Far North Queensland region to clean up, and to survey the amount of damage after a disaster. The project will benefit communities within the Tablelands Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council.

This was the last round of RRR funding for recovery from Cyclone Yasi. While the conclusion of the program does not mean that recovery is complete, this is a great example of a project that will continue to have impact – the FNQuadriders group are now an important community resource and form part of the first responder stage of disaster management, having gained critical skills for cleaning up cyclone and storm damaged areas in an area where cyclones are a threat every year.