Retailers join forces with the Government to get essential supplies into isolated communities
January 13, 2011
Leading supermarkets are working round the clock to re-supply stores in flood affected areas of Queensland, according to Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) CEO Margy Osmond.
The working group formed during the Rockhampton emergency has reconvened with major supermarket retailers joining forces with Government and Emergency Management Queensland to monitor emergency food supplies and coordinate transport to stores.
“While the first priority is for the safety of staff and customers, the majority of supermarkets in Queensland remain open,” Osmond says.
She says most Brisbane stores are still receiving daily deliveries but customers may notice some shortages of fresh food items such as meat and chicken.
Meanwhile, in Far North Queensland deliveries are extremely limited due to extensive road closures.
Osmond says retailers are working closely with the Queensland Government to look at contingency measures such as air freight, particularly to more isolated areas.
“Coles and Woolworths supermarkets are focused on getting supplies into stores via any possible means to keep Queenslanders stocked up on essential items like water, baby food, torches, batteries and toilet paper,” she says.
The working group is meeting daily during the flood emergency to ensure the flow of essential supplies continues into Queensland.