Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced Major General Mick Slater has been appointed to lead a flood recovery task force.
As Rockhampton waits for the invading flood tide to reach its peak, an emergency cabinet meeting was held in Brisbane to deal with the mounting crisis across Queensland.
In unprecedented flooding, three river systems are spilling out across vast areas of the state, leaving 40 towns isolated or partially under water, the meeting was told.
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There are 17 evacuation centres in 10 towns.
Bligh government ministers used the meeting to plan the response to a crisis that's affected more than 200,000 people and is expected to cost billions of dollars in recovery.
The meeting examined the flood disaster's damage bill estimations and what is expected to be weeks of flooding before
waters recede.
Ms Bligh told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday Major General Slater will help plan the state's road map to recovery.
Industry representatives
Ms Bligh said a cabinet sub-committee will be set up to deal with the flood crisis, consisting of herself, the deputy premier and other relevant ministers.
The mining and agriculture industries will be consulted during the recovery phase, Ms Bligh said.
"The emergency response to date has been nothing short of magnificent," Ms Bligh said.
"The rebuilding effort starts today.
"We are determined to see regional Queensland back on its feet as soon as possible."
Major General Slater said Queensland would not be doing half-hearted patch-up jobs in flood-ravaged towns.
"This is early days for me ... I do understand time is of the essence," he told reporters.
"However, it's very important we get it right the first time."
Ms Bligh said Major General Slater's role would last at least six months while he worked on the strategic recovery plan road map.
Cyclone Larry rescue foundations
"We want to make sure we get all towns recovering at a similar rate," Ms Bligh said.
"The connections between these places are important."
She said there would be a strong focus on fixing road and rail infrastructure.
Ms Bligh said Queensland's response to Cyclone Larry in 2006 had given the state a blueprint to build upon.
Ms Bligh said she had head hunted a leader with a military background for the flood recovery role.
Federal minister appointed
A task force has been set up at Enoggera, said Senator Joe Ludwig, who Prime Minister Julia Gillard has appointed Minister Assisting the Attorney General on Queensland Floods Recovery.
Ms Bligh said she had been in constant contact with Ms Gillard throughout the crisis to fast track disaster relief arrangements.
She said governments at all levels must work together on the recovery process and further disaster financial relief assistance could be likely.
"We may need to dig deeper," Ms Bligh said.
"Until the waters recede nobody knows what the price tag is.
"If we need additional resources we have offers from other nations ... if we need it we'll put our hand up."
Ms Bligh said $12 million had been raised so far in a public appeal.
She said more money would be raised during a telethon on Sunday night and from a one-day international cricket match.
Corporations and individuals are giving generously, Ms Bligh said.
Billion in damage
The premier said the likely flood bill would be above $5 billion and the Queensland government would have to revise income forecasts from mining royalties.
"I'm not going to speculate on the state budget ... it's too early," she said.
"(We'll) take a hit to the bottom line but this is an emergency and we'll respond accordingly."
The agriculture industry has been hit hard, she said.
Ms Bligh said the flood recovery task force would look at measures to flood proof rebuilt homes.
"There are lessons in every disaster," she said.
"Some of the lessons we'll be looking at is where we have housing and infrastructure in areas that are high risk."
Ms Bligh said decisions will have to be made about whether they are rebuilt in the same place and in the same way.
"They're the sorts of issues the flood task force will be addressing."
