- Our thoughts are with the people of Queensland and northern NSW facing Cyclone Alfred
- The Lismore community was devastated by an unprecedented flood three years ago
- Climate change brings more frequent tropical, wilder weather further south
The thoughts of Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) are with our farmer members and all the people of Lismore, northern NSW and Queensland as the region faces a cyclone just three years after being devastated by extraordinary floods.
FCA CEO Natalie Collard, representing 8,400 farmer members and 80,000 community supporters, said repeat disasters were extremely hard to live through.
"From the farmer point of view, it's often not the first disaster which financially cripples a family and community - it's the second one," Ms Collard said.
"The people of Lismore saw unprecedented floods just three years ago, destroying businesses, farms and lives. It's heartbreaking that this region is facing yet another crisis.
"These communities have endured homes submerged under metres of water, displacement, and endless battles with insurance red tape, yet came together to rebuild their lives. Now, they must brace for a cyclone."
For farmers and producers in the region, the extreme weather causes extensive disruption to livestock, operations and production.
"As climate change continues to send wilder, tropical weather further and further south, these disasters are becoming more common and more severe. They make farming extremely difficult and drive up costs - of insurance, building and rebuilding, and food."
"These are conditions that will devastate lives," Ms Collard said.
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