Flash flooding wreaks havoc for Toowoomba printers

ProPrint attempted to contact eight printing companies in the Toowoomba CBD this morning, though phones were either ringing out or failing to connect.

Two separate sources said they had heard Cranbrook Press had been breached by floodwaters, though the company could not be contacted for comment.

Floodwater had also reached Orford Sign Shop, just west of the CBD. Manager Rick Ryan told ProPrint the company had so far been fortunate to suffer only “cosmetic damage”.

“We had about a foot of water through the workshop area. The digital print room was full of water yesterday afternoon too. It’s drained out now, but we had about four or five inches in there,” he said.

The company’s two Seiko printers and Mimaki machine were elevated enough that water did not reach them. Ryan said the company was now in the process of sandbagging its site in preparation for any further flooding.

Even printers on the outskirts of Toowoomba have been affected. Greenridge Press managing director Mark Osborne said the company would be “doing bugger-all today” as up to two-thirds of its workforce had not come in.

“People are either flooded in or cleaning up the damage to their homes,” he said.

Osborne added that the company wouldn’t expect to accomplish much with supplies from Brisbane cut off for at least the next few days. He said he was calling other printers in the area to offer assistance.

APN Print Toowoomba print manager John Selman said the site hadn’t been reached by floodwaters, but it had been forced to print newspapers at APN sites in Yandina, Bundaberg and Rockhampton to ensure delivery across the region.

“The print sites have been combining pretty well,” he said.

Neal McLary, general manager of Printing Industries’ Queensland branch, said the office had been contacting members throughout the state to check their status and offer assistance.

“Our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues in flood affected areas of Queensland and we hope that our members and their staff are and remain safe,” he said.

“If there is anything that we at the association can do by way of assistance and support for our members, we stand ready to assist any way or capacity that we can. Please ring us at the Queensland office on (07) 3356 0022 if we can offer assistance.”

Flood warnings are still in place for much of the state as rain continues across south-east Queensland. A flood warning has also been issued for the Brisbane River, placing the capital city under threat of similar flooding.

Donations to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal can be made here.

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