SENATORS Ian Macdonald and Russell Trood visited Babinda on
Thursday to take a tour of the devastation nine months on from Cyclone
Larry.

Senator Macdonald decided to try out a local pie, before the pair met up
with Babinda's District Community Associations (Babinda Taskforce)
Debra Quabba for the one-hour tour.

This was Senator Macdonald's second visit to the region since the
cyclone and he said he was very impressed by the progress.
"My first impression after taking a tour of this town is what a great job
well done," he said.

"The local people have done a great job in reconstructing the place after
what was a traumatic experience.

"The people here have made so much progress from when I was here
last; it's looking really good."

This was Senator Russell's first time to the region since Cyclone Larry
and he said he wanted to come up and see what progress had been
made.

"What impresses me is the community spirit," he said.
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"The locals are taking the opportunity to preserve and renovate these
historical buildings.

"This is giving Babinda the opportunity to reconstruct and take a new
direction after a horrific natural disaster." Before visiting Babinda, both
senators made a visit to the Miriwinni State School to make a cheque
presentation under the 'Investing in Our Schools program'.

The school received $6609 for a full roof cover over the stairs to the
school's administrative area.

"This covering has alleviated a major safety issue for students, parents,
staff and visitors to Miriwinni State School," Senator Macdonald said.

After the tour of Babinda, Senator Macdonald travelled on to Mission
Beach to launch an Enviro Fund project, meanwhile Senator Trood
stopped in Innisfail to meet with Johnstone Shire mayor Neil Clarke.

Source: Innisfail Advocate