For some, the isolation continues, with last week’s deluge leaving people in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range without road access.
Southern Downs Regional Council staff are trying to reestablish access as quickly as possible, but some factors such as water levels and massive damage are delaying progress.
Roads known to be affected include: Inverrammsay/Forest Reserve road, Top Swanfels Road, Bakers Road and Condamine River Road at Killarney. Pictured is what remains of one section of Top Swanfels Road.
Unfortunately, Council is currently unable to determine when access will be reestablished. For further information, please call Council’s Disaster Management Call Centre on 4661 0300.
Killarney Pool has come out the worst after floodwaters hit the town last week. The greatest amount of silt in memory has been dumped in the pool area, leaving the area a mass of sludge and muck.
Greg Thouard, Southern Downs Regional Council’s Manager Facilities and Recreational Development, advised the pool area was in such a mess that the pool will need to be closed for at least a week.
While Council staff have already been in action to start the clean-up, Council is working to get a sludge pump in for the main pool, to clear out the mud. Council will also utilise a mini-excavator to clean the mud away from the grounds which is estimated to be 200mm thick in most parts.
During the process of clean-up, residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary skin contact with mud from floods, including at playgrounds and sporting fields.
Following the initial damage to property and infrastructure caused by the flood, sickness and injury can still occur. Water can become contaminated from the breakdown of amenities, increasing the risk of disease during the clean-up and recovery.
To assist residents in their clean-up efforts, SDRC has been providing kerbside and property pickups of personal goods in Warwick, Allora and Killarney. People in isolated areas can contact Council Customer Service staff on 4661 0300 so that arrangements can be made for collection of their flood waste.
Four new Flood Warning ALERT stations have been installed and will increase Council’s ability to communicate to the community the rainfall data and probability of potential flooding in these areas, according to Mayor Peter Blundell.
“Given the flooding we have experienced in the last few days, early warning of potential flooding will be extremely helpful in terms of making appropriate preparations,” Cr Blundell said.
The work was completed under funding received from the Department of Local Government Grants & Subsidies Cyclone & Flood Warning Subsidy program (LGGSP). The new stations were installed by Greenspan Technology Pty Ltd for a total cost of $142,598 (excluding GST) which was fully funded by the LGGSP.
Installations were carried out at Campbells Gully, Canal Creek, Dalrymple Creek and Upper Dalrymple Creek. Each station consists of raised 3m platforms with spring-loaded access gates, and a 3m rain tree. The antenna, solar panel and rain gauge are all mounted on the top of the enclosures. The stainless enclosure contains the instru-ments which measure rainfall and river level. Each of these stations is now fully operational.
The State Government has also confirmed permits won’t be required to clear debris from watercourses.
Natural Resources and Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps, said the Water Act 2000 contained special arrangements for landholders and local authorities to quickly clean up flooded creeks and rivers.
“Removing fallen vege-tation and debris from watercourses is an important part of getting life back to normal in a timely manner after a natural disaster,” Mr Cripps said.
“Landowners can remove debris such as dead tree branches and trunks, or objects such as building materials, without a permit or referring to Department of Natural Resources and Mines guidelines.
“Landowners also won’t need a permit to clear or remove silt around infrastructure including pumps, weirs and dams.”
Further information is available on the Department of Natural Resources and Mines website at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/disaster-recovery or by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
