This was the theme of politicians and industry representatives who last week flew over the flooded Gulf region of North West Queensland.

One inspection included AgForce president John Cotter; Burke Shire Mayor Annie Clarke, Brinawa Station, Burketown; and Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin.

Mr Cotter said the most valuable guide to making informed decisions about dealing with the current flood situation would come from primary producers.

"These producers have a lot of aircraft working in the area, providing the best opportunities for cattle to be looked after in the best possible way during the current conditions in which a lot of country has been under water for weeks," he said. "I am adamant the system should ensure there are sufficient supplies, including aviation fuel, which is the lifeblood of operations such as this, to enable local government, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and emergency management to deal with the situation as they should."

North Queensland's damage bill has climbed to an estimated $210 million due to the flooding.

This week, Karumba residents received the welcome news that they will not run out of drinking water.

Although the community remained on strict water restrictions this week, both Carpentaria Shire Council and Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) were confident a temporary filtration system would be flown in and installed before the town's drinking water dried up.

Council officers last week reported a breach in the water supply pipeline from Normanton.

The weather bureau's hydrologist, Jeff Perkins, said Gulf rivers continued to cause moderate to major flooding for the communities.

"The Georgina River is back up to peak levels seen four to five weeks ago," Mr Perkins said.

"It will take some days for the rivers to drop but in that time we could get another monsoon that would prolong the isolation."

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology's forecast for the Gulf country was fine with light winds and sea breezes across Wednesday and Thursday.

However, flood warnings were current for the Nicholson, Leichhardt, Flinders and Norman Rivers, along with the Burdekin, Diamantina, Georgina, Lower Mackenzie and Thomson Rivers. .

l To apply for an IDSP declaration or freight subsidy, contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au