Swift response to Queensland disasters

Swift response to Queensland disasters

Kennards Hire mobilised equipment from its hire centres around Australia to help with relief and rebuilding efforts in Queensland following the devastating floods and cyclone Yasi.

While four of its branches were inundated by flood waters, and others were cut off, the company still was able to respond quickly to the needs of victims and relief workers.

Kennards Hire branches at Indooroopilly and Rocklea sustained serious water damage, as did the Kennards Concrete Care and Kennards Lift & Shift outlets at Rocklea. However, they re-opened in a little over a week following a tremendous clean-up effort by local staff and a team from interstate.

John Tolmie, chief executive of the Kennards Hire Group, said, with a total of 18 general and specialist equipment hire centres in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, the company was in a good position to join others in providing much needed equipment.

Mr Tolmie said arrangements were quickly made for a dozen semi trailers, including B-doubles, to bring extra equipment from hire centres as far away as South Australia.

"The first shipments included natural disaster kits - storage containers, located strategically in each state, holding dozens of wet-dry vacuums, blower-dryers and dehumidifyers," he said.

"There were also large numbers of generators, from 2kVA up to 100kVA, pumps, water blasters, carpet cleaners, utility lights, floor strippers, skid steer and mini skid steer loaders, mini excavators, mini loaders and trucks were also sent to assist."

Mr Tolmie said Kennards also purchased a range of new equipment, costing more than $600,000, including 4-series skid-steer loaders and 2-tonne and 6-tonne tip trucks.

"Including what was brought in from our interstate branches, we contributed more than a million dollars in extra equipment," he said.

In response to cyclone Yasi, Kennards dispatched three heavily-laden semi trailers to far north Queensland, with the first vehicle reaching Townsville hours before the destruction began. The equipment was distributed through the company's Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Port Douglas hire centres.

Mr Tolmie said one request, from the State Disaster Co-ordination Centre, came in at 11.15pm during preparations for the cyclone.

"They were seeking toilets, generators and portable air conditioners for a temporary hospital for evacuees at Brisbane Airport, and it was suggested that if anyone could help at that time of night, it would be Kennards," he said.

"Our Virginia branch delivered the equipment to the airport by 12.30am."

Mr Tolmie said Kennards was now hiring equipment and vehicles for the massive infrastructure rebuild.

Kennards has also announced a donation of $100,000 to the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

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*This article is for general information purposes only, and to introduce customers to our range of products. Kennards Hire does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this article. Customers are reminded that they must follow the detailed instructions for use of equipment given by the manufacturer or by Kennards Hire, and also that they should seek advice about the suitability of equipment for use in their particular circumstances.