NZ relief team helps Queensland flood town

The 15-strong team from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management began work yesterday. Photo / AAP

New Zealand's civil defence team yesterday began work helping flood victims recover in the small Queensland town of Condamine.

The 15-strong team from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management arrived in the state on Saturday and began work early yesterday - digging mud, silt and debris from houses hit by the torrent of water that rushed through the town.

"They got there 6.15 last night [Saturday] and stayed overnight at a Queensland gas company mine township, which is about 28km away from Condamine," said a spokesman for the team, Ian Wilson.

"They deployed into the town about 7am [yesterday] and they're helping the local residents return to the town and clean up."

Mr Wilson said he had not been in contact with the team yesterday because of the remoteness of the location and continuing rain.

The town's population of 150 was evacuated on December 30 as the Condamine River rose to a record 14.2m.

Black Hawk helicopters were called in for a rapid response, ferrying residents to nearby Miles and Dalby.

"I know the rain is still steadily falling down there but it's not too bad. They've had some heavy rain up country from them and the river's expected to rise again but not cause as many issues for them as it did the first time," Mr Wilson said.

"However, in other places in Australia they're getting more rain. Bloody hell, it's wet over here."

Mr Wilson said the team would be in Condamine until Wednesday, when a decision would be made whether they should stay there, move to another Queensland area or return to NZ.

National civil defence controller David Coetzee said the value of New Zealand response teams was demonstrated after the Canterbury earthquake, when many volunteers received acclaim for the work they did.

- NZPA