University staff clean up flood-stricken Toowoomba

USQ staff members have begun rolling up their sleeves to assist with the momentous task of cleaning up the Toowoomba CBD in the wake of flash floods that swept through the city earlier this week.

Under the direction of the Disaster Control Centre (DCC) activated by the Toowoomba Regional Council, the first group of volunteers from the University helped clean up and remove sodden carpet from businesses and homes in the city.

'It has been really good to be able to get in and help those in need,' USQ grounds person and volunteer, Gary 'Christo' Christensen said as he removed mud and debris from a business in Victoria Street.

'Everyone is surprisingly positive considering what they’ve gone through.'

USQ Safe Manager Michael Flannery said the University was providing a coordinated response until January 18 to assist with a number of clean-up tasks.

'We have had an overwhelmingly generous response from hundreds of Toowoomba staff members who have volunteered to assist over this period,' Mr Flannery said.

'In fact, we have had such a great response that no more staff members are required to register at this point in time.'

All registered volunteers must be contactable and available to respond with all necessary equipment. Volunteers will be allocated to tasks and will need to assemble at the O2 workshop at the rostered date and time for briefing and transport.

As this is a University-endorsed and coordinated activity, all staff are covered by normal public liability and workers’ compensation insurance and volunteering is considered part of a normal work day – no leave application is required.

USQ will also provide the Queensland Police with a number of University vehicles for use during the flood response.