Raj Sharma was left with $17 and his life in disarray when Cyclone Yasi tore through Far North Queensland in 2011.
It took years to rebuild what he had lost after the category 4 storm – his first restaurant venture was obliterated, like so many other businesses in the region.
But having rebounded and forged his path in the industry once again, he has a message for those facing the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, and the days of uncertainty ahead.
Flooded homes in Tingalpa, as a result of heavy rains from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.Credit: Dan Peled
“They’re not alone, every single person is going to go through this,” Sharma said.
“Communities like Brisbane or the Gold Coast, they’re not used to this sort of thing, so when this happens to them, I think they’re all going to come together and start supporting those businesses.
“It can be done, and it has in the past – I’ve done it, and if I can do it anyone else can do it. Cairns has bounced back, and I’m sure Brisbane is going to bounce back as well.”
Since recovering from Yasi, Sharma went on to open several restaurants in Brisbane, before residing in Mackay to launch Roshni Indian.
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But he still vividly recalled those harrowing days in Cairns when he felt hopeless, as his first business venture was left in rubble.
Courtesy of a close friend’s financial support, Sharma eventually made the journey to Brisbane, where his family resided, and from where they ran businesses in Ipswich. He worked, saved and re-entered the dining sector in the suburb of Toombul.
Now, he has implored South East Queensland business owners to remain in communication with their landlords.
In his case, his doors in Cairns were shut after his $80,000-a-week restaurant became a $1000-a-week fight for survival as the tourist-dominated economy ceased.
“We got to a point where we couldn’t survive. We had a team of I think 60 people, and we went to a team of probably three or four. I got to a point where business pays the bills, and if business couldn’t pay the bills we didn’t have any money,” Sharma said.
“I tried to do the right thing and paid whatever I owed to the suppliers, and basically, there was nothing left for me.”
Raj Sharma
“I remember I drove down to Brisbane with $17 in my pocket. [You can’t] take it like it’s your fault.
“You just start again, and talk to your landlords and negotiate a deal. It’s better to have help in place from the landlord towards the tenant rather than an empty shop.
Raj Sharma with his wife and daughter.
“It works both ways, so if they talk to the landlords and say this is what has happened, I’m sure there will be a lot of people saying we understand, let’s work together and let’s make this work.
“I tried to put my best foot forward to sponsor local clubs and started getting those locals as well, but it was very hard.”
The extent of Alfred’s damage is still becoming clear, with Brisbane fruit and vegetable market operators beginning to get a sense of the impact on growers to the west of the city – including in the flood-prone Lockyer Valley – who were bracing for losses in the face of rising floodwater.
“There are road blockages causing a bit of havoc,” said Michael Nguyen, the owner of Thai Hoa Grocer in Inala. “But it seems overnight [into Tuesday] things were a bit calmer.
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“There was a lot of rain in 24 hours, but in 2022 the rain lasted a lot longer and we had zero sunlight for five days, which is a huge factor when it comes to crops.”
Other industries throughout South East Queensland would be waiting to assess how their outlets fared, given some flood warnings were still in place.
Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper warned costs to business would extend beyond any damage, given the closure of operation windows throughout the storm.
“It is essential governments at all levels recognise the ongoing and regular economic impact of natural disasters on our state and effectively support businesses to build their resilience long term so that they can better respond to these types of events,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for applications for the government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance, which would provide short-term support payment to employees, small business persons and farmers who can prove they have lost income as a direct result of Alfred.
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Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said state hardship funds – $180 per person and $900 per family – would first be made available to residents at the Gold Coast, Logan and Redlands.
On Tuesday, he said other council areas, including Ipswich and Moreton Bay, would likely also be eligible.
“It’s important that we flip the switch pretty hard today and go from response to recovery,” Crisafulli said.
Sharma admitted the toll Yasi took on his mental welfare proved detrimental, and called on the community to embrace their support networks as they salvaged what remained.
“If I had my wife and my child, I would have recovered quickly because having that moral support, which is very honest and true, is important.”
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