Bowen and Whitsunday vegetable growers say the damage bill could reach $100 million

The Queensland Farmers Federation is working with Growcom to determine the full extent of the damage but say 100 per cent of vegetable crops, mostly tomatoes and capsicums, already planted in the Bowen and Whitsunday districts were destroyed.

Industry groups say it was fortunate that only about 20 per cent of the total crop had been planted when the system moved through last week. 

A statement from QFF said fallow country that hadn’t been planted would need to be recovered with significant impacts on soil conditions and health. 

“Mango growers in the Bowen region have also been affected with the full extent still being determined by Growcom. The total impact is expected to be significant.

“Tree crops, like mangos, will take three to five years to recover and reach full production maturity,” the statement reads. 

Cherry Emerick, from the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, said growers were still assessing the full extent of the damage to crops and infrastructure.

"It's more than likely there's been some damage to infrastructure, damage to packing sheds, and I'd say definitely to crop as well," she said.

Ms Emerick said growers would be hoping for wind to dry out their land enough for them to get a second crop of plants, currently in nurseries, in the ground in time for picking season.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne said Community Recovery Hubs had been established in Bowen and Mackay to assist farmers and residents. 

“There are 81 Department of Agriculture and Fisheries staff working on this large-scale response. This includes 23 specialist staff doing on the ground assessments.”