'Changed forever': disaster zones face long recovery

The charred and tangled frame of a historic warehouse is a symbol of all that is lost in a disaster.

The Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores, which housed refrigerated sheds, was gutted by a bushfire that tore through the horticultural region in Victoria's central highlands on Friday.

The co-operative was the heart of the small town's industry, running continuously since 1917 and helping local producers store their goods.

Hailed as a modern marvel when it was established by a group of orchardists more than a century ago, that storied history lies in ruins.

The loss of major local infrastructure illustrates the long road ahead for communities living through bushfires in Victoria and flooding in Queensland.

"That has taken decades to build, it doesn't just come back in a few months," Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal chief executive Natalie Egleton told AAP.

The charity and other frontline support agencies are warning it will take years for parts of rural Australia to recover from the widespread disasters.

More than 500 structures have been destroyed across Victoria, with 404,000 hectares burned this bushfire season and at least 16,500 livestock lost, state authorities said.

At least 50,000 cattle have been killed in flooding across central and northern Queensland, according to early estimates provided to charity Rural Aid.

That represented about $75 million in lost farming income, before other losses were assessed.

"Getting physical things back in place will be just one part of getting back on on their feet," Ms Egleton said of the disaster-affected regions.

"Recovery is not returning to what was before - there's a new normal that emerges for communities.

"Some people choose not to return and not to rebuild and those that choose to stay ... have a different community and their story is changed forever."

Queensland farmers affected by flooding were only just getting back on their feet after monsoonal rain in early 2019 caused $1.2 billion in insured losses.

Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said the flooding, which has isolated communities as remnants of former Tropical Cyclone Koji move across the outback, was opening old wounds.

"There's a couple of big battles that need to be fought," Mr Warlters told AAP. "One is a mental battle and the other is going to be a physical and financial battle.

"Both are equally important and are just as demanding on these farmers and their families."

Farmers in need of support in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, which is still grappling with drought, were encouraged to register for fodder, counselling or financial assistance.

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal has also launched a disaster recovery appeal, as has the Victorian government.

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