Flood information - links

[ozbob]

Major flood warnings current for Logan, Albert & Bremer Rivers and Lockyer, Laidley & Warrill Creeks.
More: https://t.co/XBj08DEYY1 #bigwet pic.twitter.com/R2PVoFmg9v

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 30, 2017

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Severe Weather Warning current for destructive winds, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf for #SEQld. Warning: https://t.co/MyZfmJPj3g pic.twitter.com/FkNsxibBWY

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 30, 2017

[ozbob]

IPSWICH: Bremer River expected to reach major flood level (11.7m) this AM. Likely to reach around 14m on Friday afternoon. #bigwet #alert pic.twitter.com/leSdC9F7Qy

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 30, 2017

[ozbob]

9am @BOM_Qld flood warning for Albert & Logan rivers. https://t.co/lxRAvyHxQM pic.twitter.com/cIzWyKCL4L

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 30, 2017

http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/flood/logan-albert-river-basin.shtml

Flood Warning for the Logan Albert River basin

IDQ20815
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland

PRIORITY: The Bureau and Emergency Services would appreciate this message being broadcast regularly.
Major Flood Warning for the Logan and Albert Rivers

Issued at 9:09 am EST on Friday 31 March 2017

Flood Warning Number: 8

Widespread areas of significant major flooding are occurring in the Logan and Albert River catchments.

Record major flood levels are occurring at Beaudesert along the Logan River on Friday morning. Flood levels at Wolffdene and Beenleigh are close to record flood levels.

Widespread rainfall totals of 100-230 mm were recorded overnight across the Logan and Albert River catchments, with isolated higher totals of up to 602 mm.

The rainfall associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie has cleared from the Logan and Albert catchments.
Logan River to Yarrahappini:

Flood levels remain at moderate to major flood levels, but are falling in the Logan River upstream of Yarrahappini.

The Logan River at Beaudesert peaked at 14.76 metres around 04:00am Friday. This level is higher than the record flood level in 1991. River levels are now at 14.16 metres and falling. The Logan River at Beaudesert is likely to fall below the major flood level (8.30 m) Friday night.

Logan River downstream of Yarrahappini:

Significant major flooding is occurring along the Logan River downstream of Yarrahappini.

The Logan River at Maclean Bridge is currently at 17.51 metres and rising. The Logan River at Maclean Bridge is likely to peak near 19.50 metres early Friday evening.

The Logan River at Waterford is currently at 6.60 metres and rising. The Logan River at Waterford is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (7.50 m) early Friday afternoon. The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level (9.00 m) late Friday evening and may peak near 10.50 metres Saturday morning.

No data is available for the Logan River at Eagleby, but stream rises and moderate flood levels are expected to be occurring. The Logan River at Eagleby is likely to exceed the major flood level (5.00 m) late Friday evening. The river level is likely to exceed 6.00 metres Saturday morning.

Albert River:

Major flooding remains at high levels and near peaks across parts of the Albert River. Further major flooding will develop downstream along the lower reaches of the Albert River during Friday morning.

The Albert River at Wolffdene is currently peaking around 13.55 metres This flood level is just below the record flood level of 13.70 metres from 1974. The Albert River at Wolffdene is likely to remain around the current level during Friday morning. The river level is likely to fall below the major flood level (10.00 m) Friday evening.

The Albert River at Beenleigh is currently at 7.72 metres and rising. The river level is likely to peak around 8.00 metres Friday afternoon, this is near the record flood level of 8.1 metres from 1887.
Flood Safety Advice:

Remember: If it's flooded, forget it. For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts

Next Issue:

The next warning will be issued by 12:00 pm EST on Friday 31 March 2017.

[SurfRail]

The Albert River was a few centimetres below the level of the road bridge adjacent to the Gold Coast line this morning. 

Catching the train out of Robina this morning was a bit like being in Auckland between the city and Orakei, like a massive causeway with a bay on one side and a lake on the other.

[ozbob]

Police are door knocking the following streets on the Northern GC. We're asking residents to move to higher ground. #bigwet #alert pic.twitter.com/SmEjlkyjcu

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 31, 2017

Police are also asking residents in the following streets to consider evacuating. https://t.co/CVcTj4139R #bigwet pic.twitter.com/EcPZqTJHiy

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 31, 2017

[ozbob]

The Albert River was a few centimetres below the level of the road bridge adjacent to the Gold Coast line this morning. 

Catching the train out of Robina this morning was a bit like being in Auckland between the city and Orakei, like a massive causeway with a bay on one side and a lake on the other.

>> https://business.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/videos/1499637760054579/

[ozbob]

Citytrain network update - 12pm: https://t.co/1dsQCyqVSt
 #Bigwet #Qldweather #Bneweather #Bnefloods #Qldfloods pic.twitter.com/m4cUpDthvA

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) March 31, 2017

[verbatim9]

The Albert River was a few centimetres below the level of the road bridge adjacent to the Gold Coast line this morning. 

Catching the train out of Robina this morning was a bit like being in Auckland between the city and Orakei, like a massive causeway with a bay on one side and a lake on the other.

Wow must of been impressive

[ozbob]

Inundation to rival 1954 flooding > https://t.co/lbO2vOLfcw #qldpol #nswpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 31, 2017

[ozbob]

The Morning Bulletin --> Rockhampton to cop biggest flood in 99 years

WHAT WE KNOW:

    Rockhampton will have its biggest flood in 99 years
    The Fitzroy at Rockhampton will at least peak at 9.4m
    The Bureau of Meteorology revised the figure from 8.5m this evening
    At this level, Rockhampton airport will close
    Many more homes, businesses, and roads will be inundated under the revised 9.4m peak

ROCKHAMPTON'S disaster group has dramatically revised its prediction for the city's flood to 9.4m.

It is expected to hit the 9.4m mark much earlier, on Wednesday next week. 

This level would equal Rockhampton's second biggest recorded flood, back in 1954. The biggest flood ever was in 1918 at 10.1m.

Tony Williams, Chair of Rockhampton's Local Disaster Management (LDMG), said the revised Bureau of Meteorology forecasts put the figure at 9.4m.

"At that level, we would see the airport closed and more areas inundated including Lakes Creek to the west of the railway, Nerimbera near Black Creek and the lower parts of the city," he said.

"As we've never had that level of flooding since the new Yeppen Crossing opened, it's hard to predict at this stage how impacted it will be."

Three of the four major rivers that feed the Fitzroy River have been rapidly rising throughout Friday.

Three of those are in major flooding, with the fourth, the Dawson River, at a moderate flood level.   

Mayor Margaret Strelow said authorities had a much clearer picture of the expected flood as water moved downstream.

"Now that the water is making its way further down the river system and passing through more gauges we are getting a clearer picture of what to expect," Mayor Strelow said.

"We are fortunate that we have this forewarning and we can make the preparations we need to now to mitigate the impacts as much as possible.

"Now that school holidays have started, it is really important for those people who have made plans to leave that they are aware the flood level could be as high as 9.5 metres and prepare accordingly."

[ozbob]

Rockhampton is now starting to experience rising flood waters. Major flooding is likely along the Fitzroy River during next week #bigwet pic.twitter.com/8XNZCcn0CX

— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) March 31, 2017

[ozbob]

Great photograph of Beenleigh railway station trying to out-swim Goodna!  (No chance  )



The Beenleigh train station yesterday. Picture: Ric Frearson

[ozbob]

With the predicted flood of the Fitzroy River it will be some time yet before rail services to FNQ are restored.

The Bruce Highway was raised recently to mitigate Fitzroy River flooding the railway is still relatively low level and subject to flooding.

I have asked if there are any reports of rail damage north of Gympie North assessments available but nothing has been forthcoming publicly.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast line cut by floodwaters at Beenleigh. pic.twitter.com/939yGf1O3e

— Nick Wiggins (@nick__w) April 1, 2017

[ozbob]

INTERACTIVE: Flood maps show which Rockhampton streets need to be prepared. #qldfloods #bigwet https://t.co/9Bptph6PZd

— Morning Bulletin (@the_bully) April 2, 2017

[ozbob]

2nd April 2017

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Major road closures ahead of Fitzroy flood

Major roads are expected to be cut in coming days with predictions of a major flood for the Fitzroy River at 1954 levels of 9.4 metres or above.

Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Minister Mark Bailey said unprecedented rainfall from cyclone Debbie was moving through the Fitzroy catchment area at a faster rate than normal.

"As a result it is expected the Yeppen Floodplain traffic transition plan will be enacted as early as Monday afternoon ahead of the closure of the low level sections of Bruce Highway," Mr Bailey said.

"This means both north and southbound traffic, on the Bruce Highwaysouth of Rockhampton will use the high level Yeppen South and North Bridges. 

"The Capricorn Highway at the Dawson River between Rockhampton and Duaringa closed last night (Saturday) with an immediate impact on transport operations."

Mr Bailey said an alternate route would be in place west via the Dawson Highway from Gladstone (Calliope) to Biloela, Rolleston and north to Emerald.

The Burnett Highway and Leichhardt Highways south from Rockhampton to Biloela are currently closed.

"With the volume of rainfall across the region, there is significant damage to road surfaces," Mr Bailey said.

"I encourage road users to be cautious when driving on Queensland roads and if they identify an issue, advise QldTraffic on 13 19 40 or message TMR on Facebook.

"The safety of road users is our highest priority at this time.

"While a road might look safe to drive across, motorists are urged not to drive on a road that is flooded or damaged."

Major roads expected to be cut in the coming days due to revised flooding levels include:

-               Bruce Highway (Benaraby-Rockhampton) low level sections of Yeppen Floodplain)

-               Capricorn Highway (Rockhampton-Gracemere)

-               Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road

-               Lakes Creek Road near Bridge Street and Thozet Creek (North Rockhampton)

Major roads that may be cut included:

-               Bruce Highway (Rockhampton-St Lawrence) at Alligator Creek

-               Bruce Highway (Benaraby-Rockhampton) at Gavial Creek and Midgee Creek

Minister Bailey also praised TMR crews who worked around-the-clock on Granite Creek crossing north of Marlborough which has reopened and is allowing even more emergency and essential service vehicles to head north.

"TMR crews have been undertaking repairs to the flood-damaged bridge since Wednesday and while the Bruce Highway had been open to traffic since Thursday, a load limit restriction was placed on Granite Creek Bridge due to significant damage," he said.

"Travel over Granite Creek had been restricted to vehicles under 5 tonnes, under traffic control and a 10km/h speed limit.

"However reconstruction is now complete with the bridge reopening to unrestricted operation last night."

Road users are encouraged to be cautious when driving on Queensland roads and if they identify an issue, advise QldTraffic on 13 19 40 or message TMR on Facebook.

While a road might look safe to drive across, all road users are urged not to drive on a road that is flooded or that is damaged.

For road condition advice, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or phone 13 19 40.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Aurizon says Goonyella rail line will be shut down for five weeks by Cyclone Debbie

A VITAL link in Queensland's coal exports has been shut down for five weeks by Cyclone Debbie, delivering a huge financial blow to the industry and the State Government.

Aurizon has said the Goonyella rail line, which carries about half of Queensland's coal exports for about 25 mines, has been affected by landslips west of Sarina.

Aurizon said it was difficult to access much of the line but initial engineering assessments suggested it would take about five weeks to fix. The Newlands line could be out for up to three weeks while Moura could be out for two weeks.

Aurizon said it was examining alternative routes. Analysts had suggested the Queensland industry could lose as much as 10 million tonnes in coal sales worth more than $1.5 billion but that now appears conservative.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Aurizon and Queensland Rail were trying to figure out alternatives.

"The problem at the moment is the line from Blackwater, the railway line,'' she said. "Queensland Rail is also going to be talking to Aurizon about that.

"The ports are being opened. That's great news. We've got coal ships waiting off the port of Mackay, ready to go.

"The coal does need to dry out a bit but as soon as that repair job is done to the railway network, it should open for business, back to normal."

For the mines able to access the ports the closures could mean a huge boost in revenue with the price of coking coal likely to spike dramatically as it did after Cyclone Yasi in 2011. The coking coal price rose about 2 per cent over the weekend to $US160 a tonne but that is expected to rise considerably.

Aurizon said it had mobilised all available crews to inspect damage and start repairs, but warned that there would be an impact on earnings.

The cost of repairs is expected to be recovered as part of the established regulatory process with the Queensland Competition Authority.

However, the timing of the costs and when the income is received would mean there is likely to be a negative impact on 2017 earnings, it said.

BHP Billiton on Monday said crews were returning to work at its Queensland mines and it would "seek to manage" access to ports and shipments to customers. Peabody said its mines had also recommenced operations. Aurizon shares closed 6 down at $5.19 on Monday.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines reopen after ex-cyclone Debbie flooding

The Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines have reopened, after they were flooded in last week's downpour.

Buses had replaced trains between Beenleigh and Kingston inbound, and Beenleigh to Kuraby outbound after stations and tracks were flooded.

Hundreds of properties across Logan are flooded, leaving residents "overwhelmed" by the cost of damage and huge cleanup remaining. Nine News

The Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines were the last services restored, after the severe weather disrupted a number of Queensland Rail services due to storm damage.

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said crews had worked "around the clock" to restore services following last week's severe weather.

"In total, more than 250 people worked through very challenging conditions to inspect, clean and repair the network after significant damage from the storms and flooding," he said.

The storm brought trees down across the Ipswich, Cleveland, Sunshine Coast and Shorncliffe lines while flooding affected the Rosewood, Ipswich, Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines, with the last of the water finally receding on Monday.

"The damage to the Shorncliffe line was particularly severe, requiring repairs to more than 300 metres of overhead power lines," Mr Easy said.

"In every instance, our crews worked incredibly hard to resolve the issue as soon as possible, to have our network back up and running for our customers.

"Fortunately, all lines were recovered and operating as normal for the start of the working week, with the exception of the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines, where flood waters had not yet receded."

Those services were finally restored at 5.20pm on Monday, with residual delays of about 30 minutes.

"Throughout this challenging time, we were able to offer rail replacement buses for each affected section of our network," Mr Easy said.

"We'd like to thank our customers for their patience as we worked as quickly as possible to safely repair and re-open all lines."

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Rockhampton slowly going under

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Plan to increase Wivenhoe by two Sydney Harbours in $900m safety revamp

Seqwater is planning the biggest ever upgrade of Wivenhoe Dam, a "once-in-a-lifetime" safety-driven revamp that follows studies revealing a failure at the dam would put at risk 300,000 people downstream.

One option being considered in the upgrade, expected to cost up to $900 million, is to raise the dam wall by four metres, which would increase the capacity of Wivenhoe Lake by almost a million megalitres, or the equivalent of two Sydney Harbours.

Wivenhoe Dam, completed in 1984, has not met national safety guidelines for large dams since about 2002, despite more than $100 million of expenditure on upgrades.

Studies by engineering firm URS in 2013 and 2014 found that a failure at the dam would put at risk almost 300,000 people and kill about 400 of them, with a cost to the community of up to $100 billion, or "a significant portion of Australia's GDP".

Wivenhoe Dam, completed in 1984, has not met national safety guidelines for large dams since about 2002, despite more than $100 million of expenditure on upgrades. Photo: Dean Saffron

URS described Wivenhoe's ability to avoid such a catastrophe as "unacceptable".

Seqwater has since January 2016 devoted more of the dam's total capacity to flood storage, reducing the space available for drinking water storage by 20 per cent, to increase the safety margin.

The dam owner has hired consultants GHD to carry out engineering assessments as part of a two-year, $2 million study, abandoning a 15-year-old plan to reinforce the existing infrastructure by 2035 in favour of a radical rethink to bring Wivenhoe Dam in line with modern safety standards sooner.

Key facts

    Cost estimates for the upgrade range from $325 million to $881 million
    Options include raising the dam by 2m, by 4m or not at all
    Raising the dam would increase its capacity by between 330,000 megalitres (2m raising) and 900,000 megalitres (4m raising)
    A third spillway could be built at the dam wall
    The "fuse plugs" could be removed entirely

Seqwater spokesman Mike Foster said the organisation intended to complete the upgrade "well before 2030".

Work already under way reinforcing Somerset Dam, which feeds Wivenhoe, would be completed first, he said.

The project, which will involve the Department of Energy and Water Supply, will also look at the flood mitigation benefits to residents of Brisbane and Ipswich of various upgrade options. Seqwater will begin public consultations on the Wivenhoe upgrade plan later this year.

"Seqwater recognises that the upgrades to Wivenhoe and Somerset will impact on the local community," Seqwater spokesman Mike Foster said.

"We are very much in the initial planning phases. Later this year, once the scope of planning phase is finalised, we will be providing the community with details of the upgrade study, its timeframes, as well as regular updates as the program progresses."

Pre-feasibility studies put the cost of the project, likely to involve a significant redesign of the dam's spillways, at between $325 million and $881 million.

The plan comes as engineers worldwide begin to digest the lessons of a crisis at Oroville Dam in California this year. Police ordered almost 200,000 people to leave their homes north of Sacramento for three days in February amid fears the dam could break after unexpected erosion below an emergency spillway during a flood event.

"Every dam engineer in Australia was watching that," Barton Maher, Seqwater's chief dam design engineer, told Fairfax Media.

At Wivenhoe GHD will look at adding a third spillway with an innovative "labyrinth" design intended to dissipate the energy of emergency water releases.

The firm will also consider whether the auxiliary spillway added in 2005 that is meant to protect the dam from failure in very large floods should be removed entirely. So-called "fuse plugs", piles of erodible gravel used to initiate operation of the spillway, were the subject of controversy during the 2011 flood and subsequent public inquiry.

Almost 7000 victims of the 2011 floods are suing Seqwater in the NSW Supreme Court in a multimillion-dollar class-action lawsuit that alleges that too much water was released from Somerset Dam at the height of the crisis and that Seqwater failed to operate Somerset and Wivenhoe Dams prudently throughout the event.

"Seqwater has a duty of care in relation to the management and operation of our large dams and these upgrades are required to allow SEQ dams to continue to operate safely in the future," Mr Foster said. 

"In relation Wivenhoe and Somerset dams, Seqwater views the upgrades, including the potential to improve  flood mitigation, as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

[ozbob]

5th April 2017

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Wivenhoe and Somerset dams included in dam improvement program

Seqwater is delivering a staged capital upgrade program over the next 18 years, including Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams, which will enable the region's dams to continue to operate safely in the future.

The schedule of Seqwater's Dam Improvement Program to be completed by 2035 has been determined by the Queensland Dam Safety Regulator, based on risk assessments -  which is recognised as industry best practice and is used by most regulators across the country.

Minister for Water Supply Mark Bailey said all Seqwater dams currently comply with the requirements of the Queensland Dam Safety Regulator and continue to operate safely but upgrades were needed for the future.

"As part of the program, a new study is underway to upgrade Wivenhoe and Somerset dams which includes considering options to improve the flood mitigation offered by both dams.

"Dams are long-life assets and some of south east Queensland's dams were built in the middle of last century," he said.

"Over the years we have seen advances in dam design and better understanding of the impacts of climate change, including extreme rainfall events and flooding and this has meant that many dams across Australia need upgrades to address this.

"The timing and cost of the Wivenhoe and Somerset dam upgrades will be determined by the outcome of the current study.

"Risk assessments and safety measures undertaken by Seqwater to date have been endorsed by the dam safety regulator and reviewed by independent dam experts.

"Dams are large public infrastructure and maintaining their ongoing safety is paramount.''

Mr Bailey said that under State dam safety legislation, all dam owners across Queensland, including Seqwater, needed to manage dams to meet the requirements of the Queensland dam safety regulatory framework, overseen by Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS).

"Under the Queensland dam safety guidelines Seqwater is required to progressively complete its dam upgrades by 1 October 2035. However, the outcomes of the current study could see works being undertaken on Somerset Dam as early as 2022 and Wivenhoe as early as 2025.'

Seqwater acting chief executive officer Jim Pruss said all of SEQ's dams operated safely and the program of planned works would enable this to continue in the future.

Over the next five years, in addition to the Wivenhoe and Somerset dams study, Seqwater is set to undertake upgrade works at Lake Macdonald, Wappa, Cooloolabin, Ewen Maddock dams (Sunshine Coast) and Lake Kurwongbah (Brisbane North) and planning is also underway for a future upgrade of Leslie Harrison Dam (Redland).

"Seqwater recognises the upgrades to Wivenhoe and Somerset, in particular, will be of significant interest to the community,'' Mr Pruss said.

"We are in the initial planning phase. Later this year, once the planning scope is finalised, we will be providing the community with details of the upgrade study, its timeframes, as well as regular updates as the program progresses.

"Seqwater is prioritising its Dam Improvement Program to deliver a staged capital program that safeguards the community and delivers best value for money.''

In recent years Seqwater has upgraded a range of dams across SEQ including Lake Manchester (2008), Borumba (2008), Hinze (2011), North Pine and Ewen Maddock Stage One (2012), Maroon and Moogerah (2014).

For a full list of FAQs about the dam improvement program, see http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/asset-maintenance-construction/dam-improvement-program/dam-improvement-program-faqs

For more information about Seqwater and its services, visit www.seqwater.com.au.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Reuters --> Hard running floodwaters to delay coal rail re-opening in Australia: source

SYDNEY The reopening of Aurizon Holdings Ltd's Blackwater rail line, a key link between coking coal mines and export ports in cyclone-hit northeast Australia, will be delayed after suffering more water damage than expected, according to a source.

The Blackwater line was scheduled to re-open later this week and start replenishing global coking coal supplies after Cyclone Debbie hit the state of Queensland and disrupted haulage operations. The system transported more than 60 million tonnes of coal last year and services mines operated by BHP Billiton, Glencore PLC and Sojitz Corp, among others.

However, a mining company employee with operations on Aurizon's Blackwater line told Reuters that floodwaters were "running harder than predicted".

"Our understanding is the reopening of the rail line ... is likely to be early next week at best," said the source, who requested anonymity.

Aurizon did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.

Queensland accounts for more than 50 percent of global seaborne coking coal supplies. The export disruptions there have led to huge price rises in the steel-making material and opened the door for rivals to cash in.

Coking coal futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange, which was closed on Monday and Tuesday for a public holiday, jumped over 7 percent early on Wednesday to $197.80 per tonne, the highest level since December 2016.

China is the world's biggest importer of coking coal while Australia is the world's top exporter.

Blackwater is the second-busiest line servicing the Queensland coking coal industry and is the first scheduled to be brought back into operation.

The neighboring Goonyella line is the worst affected, with landslides damaging tracks at a critical mountain pass.

Cyclone Debbie, which struck last week as a category four storm, one rung below the most damaging category five, has left a disaster zone stretching 1,000 km (600 miles) in Queensland, with subsequent flooding claiming at least six lives.

[Stillwater]

It's now revealed that Wivenhoe Dam upgrade is required, with work to start 2025.  Building Queensland needs to approve this infrastructure and slot it into its 'priority projects' list.  (It is not there currently.)  Where will the Wivenhoe Dam upgrade sit relative to Cross River Rail?  Funding?

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-skulduggery-the-inside-story-of-how-wivenhoe-became-a-substandard-dam-20170404-gvdcdy.html

[STB]

It's now revealed that Wivenhoe Dam upgrade is required, with work to start 2025.  Building Queensland needs to approve this infrastructure and slot it into its 'priority projects' list.  (It is not there currently.)  Where will the Wivenhoe Dam upgrade sit relative to Cross River Rail?  Funding?

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-skulduggery-the-inside-story-of-how-wivenhoe-became-a-substandard-dam-20170404-gvdcdy.html

My prediction is that Wivenhoe will get higher priority.  Without rail, traffic slow down to a crawl and public transport becomes uncomfortable.  Without water, you're dead.

[#Metro]

Wivenhoe will be prioritised IMHO.

No-one will die if CRR is put on the back burner - it has been there for almost a decade anyway.

Wivenhoe - if that bursts then most of the city will be underwater to a depth of 2m or so. Can't have that.

[ozbob]

#FleeQLD

[Stillwater]

Somehow, strangely, I think this lot (or any government really) could live with the risk of water inundation from a burst dam.  (After all, it's Queensland.)  What would petrify them to the core would be the legal bunfight that would follow via litigation from the people and businesses affected seeking compensation.  It would run into the hundred of billions and bankrupt the state.  Also, a couple of pollies could be jailed for failing to act.  Stirling Hinchliffe's line of argument ("I didn't know.  They didn't tell me.") won't wash.  The dam is know not to meet modern-day standards for flood risk.  Engineers Australia has warned that it is.  We have the example of the American dam, built to a similar design, being in danger of collapsing.  To be fair, it should be pointed out that the situation is being managed, for the time being, by reducing the capacity for holding drinking water in the Somerset/Wivenhoe system.  This frees up capacity for floodwater retention, just in case.  I can see more hand-wringing and ... for sure .. the government announcing a review, a report, a commission of inquiry -- call it what you like.  Kick yet another can down the road.

[SABB]

A bit of background information.  Back in the late 1980s, the proposal from the Qld Dept of Irrigation and Water Supply was to construct 2 dams.  Wofdene dam for water supply and Wivenhoe dam for flood mitigation. So the idea was that Wivenhoe dam would be emptied over winter so the full dam capacity was available for flood mitigation in the summer period. The greenies didn't like the idea of Wofdene dam and protested about the construction. Note that IWS had already purchased the land for Wofdene. Wayne Goss won the 1989 election and Henry Palaszczuk cancelled Wolfdene dam as well as selling off the land so it could not be built in the future. Wivenhoe was then re-roled as a water supply and flood mitigation dam. So its capacity for flood mitigation is limited by the fact that it has also to supply water for Brisbane. Retired members of IWS tell me that the drought of the mid 2000s would not have happened if Wolfdene had been built.

[Stillwater]

      

[ozbob]

Cyclone Debbie response to be reviewed as Rockhampton residents start clean-up > https://t.co/fdeOUwdNhM via @brisbanetimes #qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 9, 2017

[ozbob]

Aurizon updates timetable for coal network outages - https://t.co/QVsyiqd5fw pic.twitter.com/dXL6xTH5uo

— Rail Express (@RailExpressNews) April 9, 2017

[ozbob]

The North Coast rail line has reopened after being cut in several places by tropical #CycloneDebbie. #9News https://t.co/GEze867FVU

— Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) April 11, 2017

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> North Coast rail line reopens after Cyclone Debbie

Queensland's North Coast rail line has reopened, after being cut in several places by tropical Cyclone Debbie.

The line is the main freight and passenger connection between Nambour and Cairns, making it a vital connection both for moving people and local economies.

Since Cyclone Debbie struck in late March, extreme weather has wreaked a path of destruction across Queensland and New South Wales.

Queensland Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the floodwaters in Rockhampton had receded over the past few days, allowing crews to reconnect the final sections of track.

"Crews repaired more than 116 washouts on the line, which involved completely rebuilding the foundations and relaying the track in the affected areas.

"The signalling and infrastructure at 67 level crossings had to be tested, and six level crossings required a total rebuild."

Ms Trad has urged motorists to take extra care at level crossings, with trains again running on the line after a fortnight of no activity.

[ozbob]

$AZJ Goonyella #coal system re-opened to #rail traffic today
following damage from #TCDebbie https://t.co/8bPi3QCHrE pic.twitter.com/akhluUCd2B

— Aurizon (@Aurizon_) April 26, 2017

[ozbob]

29th April 2017

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Hinze Dam stands up to its biggest test

An analysis into how Hinze Dam operated during ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie has found its most recent upgrade was a major contributor in reducing the risk of flooding for thousands of downstream homes.

Minister for Water Supply Mark Bailey said heavy rainfall from ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie in late March produced the largest flow in the Nerang River valley in the past 50 years.

"Hinze Dam reduced the peak outflows by 80 per cent, which prevented flooding for several thousand homes across the vast floodplain of the Nerang River, including Surfers Paradise, Bundall, Carrara and canal estates further to the south," Minister Bailey said.

"The most recent upgrade which was constructed under Labor governments and completed in 2011, saw the dam wall raised by 15 metres, which has doubled the dam's capacity and provided increased water security and flood mitigation," he said.

"There is no doubt this upgrade saved a lot of homes."

Minister Bailey said a post event analysis undertaken by Seqwater, showed Hinze Dam had significantly reduced the flooding to the Gold Coast's most populated floodplain area.

"During the event, inflow into Hinze Dam peaked at about 1.9 million litres per second at midnight on 30 March – the equivalent volume of about 45 Olympic sized swimming pools every minute," he said.

"The water level at the Hinze Dam peaked at a record of 100.28 metres above sea level – about 5.7 metres above the spillway.

"With the Hinze Dam in place though, the peak outflow from the un-gated dam was reduced to 310,000 litres per second, holding back what would have been a disastrous flood.

"Many people value Hinze Dam for its water supply and recreational use but what is not immediately obvious is the benefit the dam provides for flood mitigation.

"As we plan our long-term water future, Hinze Dam will continue to be a key asset in the South East Queensland Water Grid."

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Jim Pruss said Hinze Dam had operated as it was designed to do.

"It was very pleasing to see the dam perform as efficiently and effectively as it did,'' he said.

"While no dam can flood-proof a community, Hinze Dam will continue to provide significant flood mitigation for the Gold Coast into the future.''

South East Queenslanders are encouraged to sign up to Seqwater's free Dam Release Notification Service to receive vital information about dam operations during extreme weather event."

To sign up go to www.seqwater.com.au/dam-release-information-service or download the Seqwater app.

Hinze Dam history

    Stage 1 of the dam was originally built by the Gold Coast City Council for water supply in 1976.
    In 1989 the Stage 2 construction raised dam wall and spillway level to increase the water supply and to provide flood mitigation.
    In 2008 to 2011 the Stage 3 construction further raised the dam wall and spillway level to the current height to increase water supply, increase flood mitigation benefits and to upgrade the dam to meet modern dam safety standards.
    Seqwater's estimates of earlier floods show the notable June 1967 flood peak inflow was approximately one million litres per second at the location where Hinze Dam is now built.
    The estimate for the January 1974 flood at this location is approximately 1,450,000 litres per second peak flow
    Historical data for previous flood estimates indicate there were some nine previous floods in the past fifty years that exceeded one million metres per second at the site of Hinze Dam.
    Many of these previous floods were also significantly mitigated by the Hinze Dam Stage 2 configuration such as the 1989, 1990, and 2008 flood events.

ENDS

[ozbob]

5th May 2017
   
Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Brisbane River Catchment Flood Study most comprehensive ever

The most detailed and comprehensive flood study ever undertaken in Australia will provide a greater understanding of the Brisbane River's behaviour across four council areas in South East Queensland.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad said the Brisbane River Catchment Flood Study incorporated 170 years of historical rainfall data and investigated 11,340 scenarios that influence flooding.

"This was an incredibly comprehensive process involving more than 50,000 computer simulations which has helped us produce Australia's first ever whole of catchment flood study," Ms Trad said.

"The Brisbane River catchment area spans more than 13,500 square kilometres with the floodplain downstream of Wivenhoe Dam spanning the four local government areas of Brisbane, Ipswich, Somerset and Lockyer Valley.

"The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommended this study because there is currently no single flood model that councils can use that provided a common and consistent basis for land-use planning, disaster management and building community resilience.

"This study provides a comprehensive analysis of a range of potential flood events, which is a critical first step towards developing a strategy that will set out flood resilience options for the region."

Brisbane City Council Mayor Graham Quirk said that a coordinated effort was important as the region has a long history of major floods recorded back as far as 1893.

"In the past the way we planned for flooding was divided by local government area but we know that floods have no respect for council boundaries," Cr Quirk said.

"By focusing on the entire catchment, we are able to bring together councils and stakeholders across the Brisbane River floodplain, using comprehensive and consistent information to improve the safety of our communities."

Ipswich City Council Mayor Paul Pisasale said the study was all about working together to understand the potential for flooding across the region.

"This study has been a four year partnership between the Queensland Government, Ipswich City Council, Brisbane City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council and Seqwater," Cr Pisasale said.

"While councils are still the best source of information for detailed, localised flood information, the Brisbane River Catchment Flood Study will support a more coordinated approach to managing floods across all levels of government in the future."

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan said that the Flood Study was critical for community preparedness.

"While the study will not prevent future flooding, it will work hand in hand with the study we have already commissioned of Lockyer Creek, to ensure communities across the catchment are as prepared and resilient as they can possibly be," Cr Milligan said.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann said with the Somerset region containing Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams the study was very important to the region's future.

"The Flood Study uses cutting-edge technology to model flooding downstream of Wivenhoe Dam including the Brisbane River and major waterways including Lockyer Creek, the Bremer River system and Oxley Creek," Cr Lehmann said.

"It will enable us to work with the government and south east Queensland councils around us to coordinate planning, preparation and responses to flood events that may occur in the future."

The flood models developed as a result of the study have been verified against the flood events that occurred in 1974, 2011 and 2013 and endorsed by an independent panel of experts.

Visit www.qldra.org.au/BRCFS for more information about the Flood Study.

ENDS

[ozbob]

BRIG Chris Field & #yourADF team have completed #TCDebbie recovery planning & support. Congrats to all on a job well done pic.twitter.com/CaG3ArodAF

— Mark Binskin (@MarkBinskin_CDF) June 2, 2017

[ozbob]

30th June 2017

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

John Muntz Causeway reopens to traffic after being washed away by Debbie

Tamborine–Oxenford Road, Coomera has reopened to traffic for the first time since ex-Tropical Cyclone (TC) Debbie severely damaged the John Muntz Causeway.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said although repair works were still ongoing, two lanes had opened to traffic around midday today, ahead of the previously expected late-July/August opening date.

"Reopening the causeway has been a priority since it washed away during flooding rain in April. Thanks to the hard work of crews on site, the connection has been restored and the causeway is now open to two lanes of traffic," Mr Bailey said.

"We were expecting the causeway to open a single lane in July with both lanes open in August, but that date has been able to be brought forward by a whole month.

"A combination of innovative construction methods, particularly around concreting the abutment, and undertaking design work simultaneous with construction has help speed up the construction process.

"Golding Contractors have been working around the clock to expedite the process, and we are fortunate good weather has allowed them to maintain this schedule and open lanes in less time than expected."

Mr Bailey said there would be intermittent single lane closures during the day to allow for safe construction to continue beneath the structure, but during the evening and weekends the causeway would remain fully open.

"Construction will continue on site until August and I would like to thank the community for their patience while my department worked to reconnect this vital piece of infrastructure," he said.

Eligible reconstruction works will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

ENDS