Qld govt pledges $10m to flood-proof towns

The Queensland government is promising $10 million to strengthen the defences of towns affected by last week's record flooding.

About 440 houses in Roma and 288 homes in Mitchell had water above the floorboards last week, while more than 2000 people were evacuated from St George.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the state government would provide $10 million for towns to research and construct stronger levees.

Ms Bligh said the money would come from a one-off $18 million federal government payment, which was granted in return for the state accepting national reforms in the coal seam gas industry.

"It is fitting that this money should be used to make communities in southwest Queensland more resilient, because it is here in the Surat Basin where the coal seam gas industry is coming to life," Ms Bligh said on Monday.

"This new funding can help give these communities the confidence and security they need to benefit from the coming prosperity."

Most of the areas affected in last week's record flooding are in clean-up mode, except on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, where a woman was found clinging to a tree on Sunday night after trying to cross a flooded bridge.

The woman was swept from the roof of her car into floodwaters at Harpers Creek Bridge, Conondale.

She did not need hospital treatment, but authorities expressed concern that drivers were not getting the message about the dangers of flooded roads.

Maranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan said the clean-up was nearly complete in Mitchell and Roma, with between 50 and 70 households still needing a hand.

Mr Loughnan said insurers were prolonging the job by insisting their assessors see the damage before the evidence is carted away.

"We have had a few little hold-ups in Mitchell and in Roma," he told ABC Radio.

"Primarily because about 50 per cent in Roma and a lesser number in Mitchell were being told by their insurers that they couldn't clean their house out until the assessors had actually seen it.

"(It is) quite contrary to the advice I was getting and handing out to people."

Life is also returning to normal for children, with three more state schools and four early education and daycare centres reopening on Monday.

Regional bank and insurance firm Suncorp predicted a strong year ahead for the agricultural sector, despite the floods.

Suncorp's head of agribusiness Greg Leahy said although the floods had hit southern Queensland hard, most Australian farmers could look forward to a bumper year in 2012.

"With the clean-up process barely begun, it's likely to be some time before we're able to put a dollar figure on damage caused to crops, stock and farming infrastructure," Mr Leahy said on Monday.

"There are however some positives to the wet weather, and the majority of landholders in eastern states should enjoy good conditions for next winter's crop and future pasture production as a result of the rain."