Brisbane might be soaked but our skilled force will not run dry, says the Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce, despite fears of an exodus of tradesmen across the ditch.
As floods ravage Queensland talk is turning to the massive numbers of builders, carpenters, and engineering tradesmen needed to rebuild cities and towns.
StephanieGundersen-Reid, chief executive of the Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce, said although the region had a high proportion of tradesmen it was unlikely there would be a surge to Australia where they could gain higher wages.
"There might be some [builders going to Australia] but I don't think it will be a huge exodus."
Ms Gundersen-Reid said in the case of other disasters, like the Canterbury earthquake, a few firms had sent builders to Christchurch but Australia would be a step too far.
A qualified carpenter can earn A$20 ($25.80) to A$31 ($40) in Australia compared with $18 to $26 an hour in New Zealand, according to pay survey company PayScale.
Masterton builder Dan Lockyer said while he had thought about heading to Australia - and might in the future - his actions wouldn't be dictated by one-off events like a flood.
He thought the chances of a nationwide skills exodus was "pretty slim" and the builders he knew in Wairarapa were happy where they were.
Building demand was still down, with fewer subdivisions in particular, but there was still work and he was confident it would pick up.
However, if demand completely dropped away in Wairarapa, he said he might consider moving to Christchurch.
