Defence Force chief heads for cyclone disaster zone

There is renewed hope that the re-building program will gather speed with the appointment of former Defence Force chief Peter Cosgrove as co-ordinator of the cyclone recovery effort. Four days after cyclone Larry struck far north Queensland, some basic necessities are slowly returning to devastated communities.

Millions of dollars worth of emergency supplies, including 50,000 meals, generators, gas bottles and tarpaulins have been ferried to devastated areas.

Ergon Energy says it is working overtime to restore power to the Johnstone Shire and the Atherton Tablelands.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says Gen Cosgrove's team will lead the long-term recovery and have an initial budget of $1.75 million.

Gen Cosgrove will head to Innisfail today to begin work.

The Disaster Relief Fund for victims of cyclone Larry has reached $5.6 million.

The largest donations have come from several banks and the Queensland Government.

As of yesterday, $640,000 had been paid out in emergency payments to those in need.

A general store has opened in Innisfail, water and sewerage facilities are now available, but there is still no power.

The Army is working around the clock and hundreds of tarpaulins have been delivered.

There is still no power across much of the Atherton Tablelands and in small pockets of Cairns.

At Kurrimine Beach, south of Innisfail, another of team of Army personnel has flown in to start restoring some semblance of normality to the tiny community.

The Army says things are also slowly starting to get back to normal in the sugar town of Babinda.

More volunteers are also expected to arrive in the Johnstone Shire today as the clean-up continues.

Johnstone Shire Mayor Neil Clarke says he is been stunned by the generosity of volunteers.

Plumbers and builders have been travelling to Innisfail, working alongside the State Emergency Service (SES) and Army personnel.

Councillor Clarke says more help is on the way.

"Some of the workers ... have been on the ground since Sunday," he said.

"They were getting really tired, but now we've got people from all over the state, all over the nation, from Victoria and New South Wales."

Mr Beattie says the team that will oversee the re-construction will be reviewed after six months.

"We've talked about six months and we'll review it, see how time goes, it all depends on how much work can be done and how much is done," he said.

"You've got to remember, we don't have a magic wand here, it depends exactly on how long it takes."

Mr Beattie says the task force will have a broad brief.

"[It] includes things like; develop a plan for the reconstruction of the communities [affected] by tropical cyclone Larry; provide advice on the needs of the affected communities; co-ordinate the actions of peak community and business organisations; provide regular reports to the Premier; and monitor and evaluate the implementation of the recovery process," he said.

Queensland Health is concerned that mosquito-borne disease could be the next problem to hit the area.

Spokeswoman Rose Spencer says 14 environmental health officers are in the region dealing with food, water and sanitation issues.

She says once the rain stops, mosquitoes will have to be monitored.

"In the coming days and weeks, once floodwaters recede and the rain stops, some of the water will start pooling and mosquitoes will start breeding," she said.

"It's not a big concern at the moment, we don't have dengue fever in Innisfail, but we can probably expect to see an increase in Ross River fever cases in the coming weeks."

- RADIO AUSTRALIA