THE trail of destruction left behind by Cyclone Jasper is still fresh from memory as recovery efforts continue in Far North Queensland.
Residents are still reeling from the aftermath of the tropical storm but the state government is willing to kickstart tourism to aid the region’s economic recovery.
Former Tropical Cyclone Jasper weakened from a category two system into a tropical storm when it entered Queensland in mid-December.
Even though it has weakened into a tropical storm, it took the system almost five days to move west across Queensland, leaving behind a trail of destruction that devastated communities.
Cairns, a city in tropical Far North Queensland, witnessed its worst flooding in more than 100 years, with records that have even exceeded the flooding in 1977.
The severe weather discouraged tourists from visiting the region during peak season and canceled more than $270-M worth of visitor bookings.
The $5-M tourism recovery package is the federal and state government’s attempt to attract tourists back to Far North Queensland after the impact of the destructive storm.
Several parts of Australia ended 2023 with a series of bushfires, flooding, heavy rains, hail, and thunderstorms as recovery efforts continue.
