A CH47 Chinook helicopter that had been on standby to assist with Operation Queensland Flood Assist has responded to a call to assist the residents of Theodore.
The aircraft flew to Rockhampton from Townsville on Thursday and transported an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Water Purification Unit to the town.
The unit, which can produce 7500 litres of water per hour, is now providing fresh water for the community.
Colonel Luke Foster, Commander of the ADF support to the Queensland flood-relief effort, said the purification unit, which was slung beneath the Chinook for transport to Theodore, was operational on Thursday and producing clean water for human consumption on Friday.
“We were waiting for test results to ensure that the water being produced by the unit was completely safe for human consumption,” Colonel Foster said.
“The laboratory in Rockhampton has given the samples the all clear, so clean water is now being produced and is available to the Banana Shire Council for use in Theodore’s reticulation system, for distribution to the town’s residents.”
A Black Hawk helicopter transported additional equipment and personnel to Theodore to operate the unit for as long as required.
Media note:
Imagery of ADF support to Queensland flood-relief efforts is available at:http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opqldflood/index.htm
Vision of the transportation and set up of the water purification system will be fed to Parliament House at 2.30pm today.
