Tradespersons are required to help rebuild flood-affected communities, and the Sunrise television program has registered 310 within 24 hours through its Operation Bounce Back website.

In the mining sphere, open cut operations have been most affected by the floods but at least one underground mine has suffered from flooding to a key haul road, while damaged or speed-restricted rail has affected the wider industry.

State government delays are another issue, with about 18 mines seeking environmental approval to pump out floodwaters.

“If minesites are working at reduced capacity or closed, then what they do with their skilled people is really crucial,” Hunter told ILN.

“The potential for skilled people to seek employment elsewhere is very real.”

Hunter would not be surprised if skilled workers even went to Western Australia to land jobs if they became frustrated by flood-affected mines, short hours and being put off work.

There will also be a big resurgence in the building trades as resources are poured into rebuilding Brisbane, Ipswich and the towns that have recently been flooded.

“Therefore, any trades related to that are going to come under new pressure,” Hunter said.

“So we are seeing that the floods will make skilling a more difficult situation for everyone, not just the mines, but in particular the mines because they are the big development sector of the economy here.

“Minesites have to hold their skilled people regardless of any slowdown due to floods and other impacts – because it is going to get more difficult.”