Food in short supply in Queensland

Finding food supplies in Brisbane supermarkets is becoming increasingly difficult as floodwaters continue to isolate areas of Queensland, according to ex-Marlburians in the area.

Grovetown's Arabella Waghorn, a 20-year-old university student on a working holiday in Brisbane, said her sister Libby's flat which is seven kilometres west of the Brisbane CBD still had no power or landline.

It was expected power and phone lines would be restored today or tomorrow, she said.

Arabella, who is staying with her sister, said the pair were using a gas hotplate to cook their food and went to the supermarket a couple of days ago for supplies.

"Everyone has bought the long-life milk and tins of tomatoes and baked beans were almost gone," she said.

Shelves of canned goods and bread were also empty. The sisters still had a chillybin with food to last them a few more days.

When the Marlborough Express spoke to Miss Waghorn early yesterday afternoon (NZ time) the sun was out, but during the previous night it continued to rain.

Miss Waghorn, who had planned to fly back to Marlborough at the end of January, decided to cut her trip short and fly back next week.

However, she had been unable to book a flight because her sister's flat had no power or internet access and it was almost impossible to get anywhere by road.

The sisters have no choice but to wait until power and phone lines are restored; they had not heard any news reports about the state of the city.

Their mother, Jane Forrest-Waghorn, of Grovetown, had been calling the sisters on their mobile phones constantly, and their phone batteries now had very low power.

Miria Walker, formerly of Blenheim but living in Caboolture north of Brisbane, said water levels on her street had begun to subside leaving mud, sludge and debris.

Mrs Walker called a few supermarkets to check if they had any supplies and said she had been told the supermarket bakeries were baking "like crazy".

Milk, baked beans and fruit and vegetables were sold out, she said.

The family believed the worst of the weather was over, but hoped the rain would stay away. Her daughters Jordan, 14, and Madison, 10, were in good spirits although Madison did not like watching news of the flood.

Former Blenheim man Craig Buchanan, who has lived in Brisbane for two years, said as the water started to subside people were returning to their homes to inspect damage and more bodies were being found.

Mr Buchanan's house was spared from flood damage, but his workplace was partly under water. He had not been to a supermarket for supplies, but would need to in the next few days.

Supermarkets would be struggling to get milk because Queensland's main milk factory was underwater, he said.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 14/01/2011