"This is going to be a long recovery. This morning as I look across not only the capital city (Brisbane), but three-quarters of my state, we are facing a reconstruction effort of post-war proportions," Bligh told Australian radio on Thursday.

Although flood waters peaked bellow feared catastrophic levels on Thursday, Australia's third largest city, Brisbane, and other devastated regions face years of rebuilding and even the threat of fresh floods in the weeks ahead.

Flooding has smashed infrastructure inundating roads and railways in Brisbane. The sewage leaked and spread into the water that remained one meter bellow the feared level.

The city center remained shuttered, more than 12,000 homes were flooded in the city of two million and some 118,000 buildings had their power cut.

Brisbane airport survived the swell and remains open, with almost all flights unaffected.

Forecasters say water levels are expected to slowly recede over the weekend. So far, the death toll from Queensland's flooding stands at least 23 with dozens more are reported missing.

The Queensland floods may end up costing the economy $13 billion because of lost productivity and damage to key infrastructure.

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