Ships out of action for cyclone recovery

The Defence department has played down technical problems stopping the Navy's two largest ships from joining cyclone recovery efforts in north Queensland.

HMAS Canberra and Adelaide are docked at Sydney's Garden Island Naval Base.

Engineers are working to fix a propulsion issue on HMAS Canberra and Adelaide is also being inspected.

"These inspections have had no impact on Defence meeting its operational tasks," Chief of Navy Tim Barrett said in a statement.

He said the new amphibious assault ships were still in their operational test and evaluation period.

HMAS Adelaide had just returned from an exercise off the coast of WA, Canberra had recently completed flight trials with military helicopters.

HMAS Choules is on the way to north Queensland to provide emergency assistance.

OTHER DEFENCE CYCLONE SUPPORT:

* Australian Defence Force joint task force set up, largely comprising personnel from Townsville-based 3rd Brigade

* Brigadier Chris Field, who led 2011 flood reconstruction, appointed recovery co-ordinator

* RAAF airlift aircraft and hospital helicopters, crewed by medical and counselling personnel and rescue teams

* Army engineering units ready to clear roads and navy personnel to clear harbour debris.