Biggenden, Queensland

September 2023

In September 2023, Rural Aid volunteers travelled to Biggenden in Queensland’s North Burnett region to support farming families recovering from the severe flooding and extreme weather that impacted the area during late 2021 and early 2022. Heavy rainfall across South East and Central Queensland caused widespread flooding, cutting off communities, damaging roads and inundating farmland across the Burnett catchment. Many local farmers experienced significant losses, including damaged fencing, erosion, destroyed infrastructure and impacts to livestock and pasture, creating ongoing challenges long after the floodwaters receded.

During the Farm Recovery Event, 38 volunteers came together to help six local farming families with the long recovery effort still underway months later. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to assist with fencing repairs, property clean-up and practical farm jobs that helped ease the pressure on local families working hard to rebuild. Beyond the physical support, the weekend was a powerful reminder of the strength of rural communities and the impact people can make when they come together to help one another through difficult seasons.