Flood information - links

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Goodna spared flood heartbreak

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Burpengary residents call for buyback scheme after street floods again

[somebody]

Bremer peaked at 13.8m, you are on the money Simon ..

Couriermail --> Rush to secure properties in southeast Queensland as floods set to peak

... The Brisbane River at Moggill is experiencing a 9.5m peak, while nearby Jindalee is peaking at 6m, about 7m below the 2011 flood level.

Logan is expected to peak at Waterford Bridge at  8m on Tuesday afternoon.

The Brisbane River is expected to peak at 2.6m about 11am Tuesday. Multiple smaller flood peaks above 2m will coincide with high tides until at least Thursday ...

BoM says 13.9m: http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDQ65389/IDQ65389.040831.tbl.shtml

[ozbob]

Yes, initially reported as 13.8m, final 13.9m but a lot better than 15 m or so ...

[ozbob]

The Reporter --> Flood waters continue to rise

[ozbob]

Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
The Honourable Tracy Davis

Assistance for flooded Gold Coast and Logan area residents

Residents affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and associated rainfall and flooding in the Gold Coast City Council and Logan City Council areas can now access assistance from the Queensland Government to help their recovery.

Communities Minister Tracy Davis said disaster relief arrangements had now been activated in these affected areas.

"Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (PHAS) grants are now available to support those families experiencing personal hardship, by covering the immediate, unexpected basic costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation due to the extreme weather," Ms Davis said.

"A grant of up to $180 per person, up to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, is available to eligible people experiencing genuine hardship."

Essential Household Contents Grants, Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants would also be available for individuals and families affected by the flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

"Essential Household Contents Grants may be available to low-income families to help with the replacement or repair of uninsured, essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed by the storm," she said.

"Additionally, owners of houses that have sustained structural damage and who are not insured may be eligible to receive a Structural Assistance Grant of up to $14,685 per household.

"For those owners who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may also be eligible for Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster."

Ms Davis said there were two parts to this grant:

    Inspection: up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system)
    Repair: up to $4200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected (for example, electrical rewiring).

"These grants are income and asset tested and must meet certain criteria," she said.

"The outreach teams will be able to help flood-affected residents apply for the Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme grants."

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the storm should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.

[ENDS] 29 January 2013

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Goodna the luckiest town in Australia: Tully

SIX hundred Goodna residents have been given the all clear to return to their homes after the Brisbane River peaked lower than expected.

The river peaked at 7.97 metres at 7.21am - a metre below the predicted level.

No homes were flooded despite earlier fears several hundred properties could be affected.

Local councillor Paul Tully said Goodna was the luckiest town in Australia.

"Now the task begins for everyone to start bringing all their gear back into their homes.

"Goodna residents are so grateful they were spared from another disaster."

[ozbob]

Twitter

QLD Times ‏@qld_times

Wivenhoe Dam releases will recommence later today, dam was at 129% at 10am: http://ow.ly/hdbXt . @seqwater #IpswichQld #somersetqld #bigwet

==============

Good, lightening can indeed strike twice, thrice and more, and when you least expect ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Seqwater ‏@_seqwater

Residents in Greater Brisbane urged to conserve water - Due to record turbidity levels in the Brisbane River as a... http://fb.me/VMUELZZP

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brisbane Times ‏@brisbanetimes

Brisbane River peaks at 2m this morning - below anticipated mark of 2.5m and less than Monday's peak of 2.3m. #BrisLive http://bit.ly/TNVS6D

[ozbob]

Twitter

11h John Taylor John Taylor ‏@_JohnTaylor_

Bundaberg from space via MT @Cmdr_Hadfield: You can see the floodwaters pouring straight through Bundaberg http://t.co/Wb9sOtrU

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ipswich residents grateful for small mercies

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> South-eastern suburbs risk running out of water after Mt Crosby Treatment plant is shut down

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brisbane Times ‏@brisbanetimes

Following fears water supply could run dry by 9am, water authority advises supplies are secure until at least noon. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-suburbs-to-run-dry-20130130-2djol.html#ixzz2JPIMJVJq ...

[Golliwog]

Twitter

Brisbane Times ‏@brisbanetimes

Following fears water supply could run dry by 9am, water authority advises supplies are secure until at least noon. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-suburbs-to-run-dry-20130130-2djol.html#ixzz2JPIMJVJq ...

I don't recall there being water supply issues after the 2011 floods. I know Mt Crosby was knocked out but they just ran the desal plant. Any reason they can't do that now?

[ozbob]

2011 had more water straight out of Wivenhoe, this is relatively clear water (not that turbid).  This time mainly runoff etc, more turbid, blocks up the systems ...

One of the benefits of releasing water out of Wivenhoe again is to flush out the river a bit ..

Wasn't the desal plant decommissioned?

[Golliwog]

2011 had more water straight out of Wivenhoe, this is relatively clear water (not that turbid).  This time mainly runoff etc, more turbid, blocks up the systems ...

One of the benefits of releasing water out of Wivenhoe again is to flush out the river a bit ..

Wasn't the desal plant decommissioned?

But didn't the 2011 flood also actually flood the treatment plant so it was offline for a while? Not sure how long though.

Not sure about the desal plant being decommissioned but I think you may be correct.

[ozbob]

http://www.urbanutilities.com.au/uploads/file/NEW%20Media%20Releases/QUU%20media%20statement_Residential%20water%20restrictions_SC_BNE_29Jan13_FINAL.pdf

EMERGENCY MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 29 January 2013

NOTICE OF MANDATORY RESIDENTIAL WATER RESTRICTIONS

As of midnight tonight, Tuesday 29 January 2013, mandatory water restrictions will be
enacted for all residents in the Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and
Somerset local government areas.

These restrictions are a result of the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant being offline
because of record turbidity levels in the Brisbane River, which are a result of the
extreme weather from ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

Mt Crosby is the region's largest water treatment plant and supplies the majority of
Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan City Councils' drinking water.

Under the new water restrictions, residents are advised from midnight tonight to use
water for essential purposes only. These include:

• Drinking,
• Cooking,
• Bathing,
• Toilet usage.

These restrictions do not apply to the use of water on premises affected by flood or
stormwater to the extent necessary to clean those premises.

These restrictions are being introduced under section 41 of the Water Supply (Safety
and Reliability) Act 2008 and will be in effect until further notice. At this stage, it is
expected these restrictions will be in place for the next 24-48 hours.
Follow us on Twitter for further updates: @UrbanUtilities
___________________________________________________________________________________
About Queensland Urban Utilities
Established on 1 July 2010, Queensland Urban Utilities is one of the largest water
distributor-retailers in Australia, providing water and sewerage services to more than
1.3 million residents across Brisbane, Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and
Somerset local authority areas. We are upgrading and improving the reliability of our
infrastructure by investing $3.2 billion in a 10-year capital works program. Our service
territory covers 14,364 square kilometres and we employ around 1,200 people.
For media enquiries, contact: Queensland Urban Utilities Communications
Tel 07 3403 3257 or 0429 551 477
-ENDS

[ozbob]

Desal plant seems to be operating --> http://www.watersecure.com.au/pub/what-we-do/desalination

From 2011: http://www.watersecure.com.au/pub/latest-news/desal-plant-ramps

Water from there can theoretically come via the southern connector I suppose, but it is mixed in with other water down there.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Ipswich Mayor hits out at Insurance Council

[ozbob]

Dam Release Information

--> http://www.seqwater.com.au/news/dam-release-information

Wednesday, 30 January 2013 - Water Release Update
For detailed information on road and crossing closures and other potential impacts, always contact your local council. For river level information, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology's website, www.bom.gov.au.

Due to forecast heavy rainfall, the Seqwater Flood Operations Centre was mobilised at midday Friday, 25 January.

As at 6am Wednesday, 30 January the following water releases are being made:

Wivenhoe Dam

Controlled releases from Wivenhoe Dam are continuing at a rate of approximately 1,100 cubic metres per second and will gradually be increased today and then stabilised over the next few days.

It is expected that these releases will last for approximately seven days to drain the stored flood water and return the dams to their full supply levels.

Twin Bridges, Savages Crossing, Colleges Crossing, Burtons Bridge and Kholo Bridge are currently closed and will remain closed for the next seven days.

Clean up of the Mt Crosby Weir Bridge has commenced and it is expected to re-open this morning.

Releases from Wivenhoe Dam will be set to allow the Brisbane Valley Highway (Fernvale Bridge) and the Mt Crosby Weir Bridge to remain open.

Please contact your local council for detailed information on current road and crossing closures.

Somerset Dam

Controlled gate releases from Somerset Dam into Wivenhoe Dam are continuing at a rate of approximately 620 cubic metres per second.

Releases are expected to continue for several days.

North Pine Dam

Controlled gate releases at North Pine Dam ceased at 5.30am yesterday to allow Youngs Crossing to re-open. No further releases are expected at this stage as the recent Temporary Full Supply Level declaration has now been revoked.

Leslie Harrison Dam

Controlled gate releases from Leslie Harrison Dam ceased at 4pm yesterday. No further releases are expected at this stage.

Ungated Dams

Due to rainfall in the catchment the following un-gated dams are currently spilling:

    Atkinson Dam
    Baroon Pocket Dam
    Borumba Dam
    Cedar Pocket Dam
    Cooloolabin Dam
    Enoggera Dam
    Gold Creek Dam
    Hinze Dam
    Lake Macdonald
    Lake Manchester
    Little Nerang Dam
    Maroon Dam
    Moogerah Dam
    Nindooinbah
    Wappa Dam
    Wyaralong Dam

Very important to bring down Wivenhoe again.  In Feb 1893, there were three cyclonic events that impacted on SEQ, there was a series of flood peaks over a three week period, with two major flood peaks.

[ozbob]

http://www.seqwater.com.au/news/265

Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant now operational and producing water

Statement from Seqwater CEO Terri Benson

Greater Brisbane and Ipswich residents are continuing to be urged to conserve water as the region's main water treatment plant gradually increases production.

Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant came back on line late yesterday as turbidity levels in the mid-Brisbane River started to significantly reduce. Production levels at the plant have continued to increase this morning however the water supply and demand balance remains tight.

Stored flood water releases from Wivenhoe Dam, which started yesterday, have made a major contribution to the reduction on turbidity. These releases will continue over the next seven days.

The turbidity levels caused by the weekend's extreme weather event continue to be higher than the January 2011 flood.

In addition to Mt Crosby coming back on line, water supplies are being supplemented from North Pine WTP and from Water Grid sources on the Gold and Sunshine coasts including the Gold Coast Desalination Plant, which is now operating at 100 per cent capacity.

As a result of using various water sources residents may notice a change in the taste of their water.  Residents can be assured that the water is treated to the highest water quality standards under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 and while the water may taste different it is safe to drink.

Seqwater is continuing to work with local councils and distribution retailer authorities to ensure a balance is achieved between bulk water supply and demand.

Residents in Greater Brisbane and Ipswich are urged to continue to conserve water and use water only for essential purposes such as showers, toilets, food preparation and cooking over the next 48 hours

<ENDS>

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Road repair task underway

Repairs are underway to almost 5,000 kilometres of state and local roads following the havoc caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said all impacted roads and bridges were undergoing a full safety assessment before they were being reopened.

"This morning I saw first-hand the damage to the Bruce, Burnett and Capricorn highways near Rockhampton and I'm left with no doubt this will be a major recovery and then repair task," Mr Emerson said.

"This will come on top of the more than 689 projects that are still to be completed statewide following the damage caused by flooding in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

"I'll also be speaking to local mayors to properly understand their needs and reassure them they have the Department's full support as they assess damage and start the road to recovery for their communities."

The Bruce Highway has recently reopened while work is underway to reopen other major state roads including the Capricorn, Wide Bay, Burnett, Cunningham, Warrego and Mt Lindesay highways.

Mr Emerson said Transport and Main Roads engineers and technical staff were assessing and prioritising damage to roads, culverts, drainage systems, bridges, signage, lighting, guardrails and marine infrastructure.

"Even if a road is open, I still urge drivers to take care as the conditions will have changed," he said.

"There are also a number of heavy vehicle restrictions in place to protect saturated roads from further damage and these are enforceable by law.

"Reducing your load by 20 per cent can minimise the impact on road materials by about 50 per cent.

"Our engineers and inspectors based in regions across the state are conducting inspections and testing to re-open roads as soon as possible after flood waters recede, with a focus on ensuring the road does not contain any potholes or washouts that could endanger motorists."

More information at www.tmr.qld.gov.au or visit www.131940.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.

[ozbob]

Desal plant seems to be operating --> http://www.watersecure.com.au/pub/what-we-do/desalination

From 2011: http://www.watersecure.com.au/pub/latest-news/desal-plant-ramps

Water from there can theoretically come via the southern connector I suppose, but it is mixed in with other water down there.

Brisbanetimes --> Enough water for now - if we're careful

Update

After earlier facing a shortage of clean drinking water, Brisbane appears to be out of the woods.

However, residents are still being urged to minimise their use.

The Mount Crosby water treatment plant, which had been compromised by the flood increasing the amount of silt and mud in the water, is now producing about 240 mega litres per day.
Advertisement

The Tugun Desalination Plant - which had been on "hot standby" for almost two years - kicked in to help meet the shortfall on Wednesday by supplying 90 mega litres of water a day to Brisbane.

Water is also coming from the North Pine and Sunshine Coast facitilities, taking Brisbane's total supply to about 500 megalitres per day ...

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/enough-water-for-now--if-were-careful-20130130-2djol.html#ixzz2JRoATKNP

There you go, Tugun not 'decommissioned' but on 'hot standby'  ...  now we know ...

[skippy]

Brisbanetimes --> Ipswich residents grateful for small mercies

Wivenhoe has held back 500,000 million litres and has no doubt saved Brisbane and Ipswich from devastation - a fact overlooked by all journalists to date.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Premier Campbell Newman talks of dams, levees in rebuild plan after devastating floods

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ipswich residents grateful for small mercies

Wivenhoe has held back 500,000 million litres and has no doubt saved Brisbane and Ipswich from devastation - a fact overlooked by all journalists to date.

Somerset and Wivenhoe both have a significant mitigation role.  No doubt at all without Wivenhoe, both 2011 and 2013 flood events much more significant. Without Somerset, 1974 probably worse as well.  Although inconvenient, it is important to drop both Somerset and Wivenhoe promptly as they are doing.  I keep thinking about February 1893 ... 3 cyclones in a few weeks ..

"The Pillar of Courage" at Goodna.  The yellow ring, just above the bottom red section is the 2011 flood level ... 



Floods marked, top to bottom

1893 two floods <-- note well, weather is unpredictable ...

1974

1890

2011

1898

Photograph R Dow 28th January 2013

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Premier Campbell Newman talks of dams, levees in rebuild plan after devastating floods

Similar talk after every flood event.  Traveston dam would have been useful, lots of mention of roads, but little about rail ...

Urbanisation itself is changing flow dynamics.  Weather is worsening, each flood event is silting up rivers etc. so less free flowing etc. 

It is getting to the point where financially Queensland is going to be struggling to recover, let alone new infrastructure.  Looking increasingly like a failed state, and should more severe weather arrive (highly possible) the effects are going to be truly devastating.  Lessons of history increasingly ignored. Even Premier acknowledges that some of the development process, building on flood plains has been flawed.

Time for some tough decisions. Some of the at risk areas need to properly identified and cleaned out of residential/industrial. 

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Emergency relief for flood affect motorists

Flood-affected drivers will have one less worry if they can't access their local transport and main roads centre.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said a series of emergency exemptions would be put in place for those affected by this week's floods.

"These are exceptional circumstances and I understand many people are doing it really tough right now," Mr Emerson said.

"These measures will assist those whose focus is currently on re-building their lives."

These measures include:

    short-term three-month registration periods to assist with cash flow
    exemptions from the administration fee for the late payment of registrations
    replacement of lost driver licences at no charge

Mr Emerson said similar conditions provided welcome relief for motorists following the 2011 floods.

"Help is there for those who need it, but I must stress these measures do not make it legal to drive an unregistered vehicle or drive while unlicensed," he said.

"This emergency relief will allow drivers who are isolated by flood waters or have no phone and web access to complete their transactions at a time in which it is safe to do so."

Transport Customer Service Centres at Beenleigh, Bundall, Ipswich, Sherwood, Gympie, Maryborough and Hervey Bay have reopened after sustaining damage or being without power.

Toowoomba City centre remains closed, but a mobile customer service centre is available.

The measures and exemptions will apply to those living in areas listed at Queensland Disaster website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au until February 25.

More information will be available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au from today.

[ozbob]

Media Statements
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/2/1/major-freight-routes-reopen?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Friday, February 01, 2013

Major freight routes reopen

Most of Queensland's major freight routes have reopened allowing heavy vehicle operators to access communities affected by widespread flooding.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said engineers had this afternoon reopened the Cunningham Highway, at Goondiwindi.

"A convoy of about 100 trucks were escorted along the highway from Goondiwindi yesterday and today the restrictions were lifted," Mr Emerson said.

"More than 800 kilometres of roads across the state have reopened in the past 48 hours, kick-starting major economic lifelines.

"Main Roads crews and Police are currently escorting heavy vehicles along the Yeppen floodplain to keep the Bruce Highway open, just south of Rockhampton.

"One of my major priorities at the moment is reopening the Capricorn Highway, west of Rockhampton, where floodwaters have washed away the Neerkol Bridge."

On the rail network, a number of passenger and freight routes remain closed, including Gympie to Rockhampton and between Rosewood and Toowoomba.

"We are also working with Aurizon to reopen the major coal networks as floodwater recede in Central Queensland," Mr Emerson said.

Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Police Service authorised officers have the power to grant limited approval for drivers to travel past restricted road use signs on a state-controlled road.

Freight operators can apply for heavy vehicle permits that cannot be provided through normal processes in affected regions, or when special access is required in cases of emergency.

An example of when this might occur would be for the delivery of essential items such as food or medical supplies.

The Flood Recovery Road Access Group hotline number is 1300 105 647 or alternatively you can email floodrecovery_roadaccess@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Motorists can access up-to-date traffic and travel information by visiting the 131940 Traffic and Travel Information website at www.131940.qld.gov.au or calling 13 19 40.

[ENDS] 1 February 2013

[colinw]

Severe Storm Warning issued at 10:04PM:

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20038.html

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Plan to shift flood-prone homes to higher ground as Queensland Government considers options to prevent disasters

More talk, will there be any widespread action this time ....  the next flood could be weeks or years away ...  Some good moves at Grantham.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> More flooding predicted for March

[somebody]

So they're dropping the dam to 88%.   

[ozbob]

So they're dropping the dam to 88%.   

If it looks like another major rain event they will drop it to 75% or even less I reckon ..  token releases on the eve of a major flood are pointless ...

[somebody]

So they're dropping the dam to 88%.   

If it looks like another major rain event they will drop it to 75% or even less I reckon ..  token releases on the eve of a major flood are pointless ...

I'm glad they didn't do it in 1999.

[BrizCommuter]

Couriermail --> Plan to shift flood-prone homes to higher ground as Queensland Government considers options to prevent disasters

More talk, will there be any widespread action this time ....  the next flood could be weeks or years away ...  Some good moves at Grantham.

Hopefully some common sense may prevail. Anything that has flooded along the Brisbane/Bremer/Lockyer/Enoggera catchment in this event is highly likely to go under again in the near future. Simply, properties should not be in these locations, and the locations should be turned to parkland.

Dry dams (i.e usually empty dams that can reduce the flood peaks) in the tributaries may be a low cost way of reducing floods. However, BrizCommuter is only a armchair dam engineer, and may be wrong!

[Golliwog]

Couriermail --> Plan to shift flood-prone homes to higher ground as Queensland Government considers options to prevent disasters

More talk, will there be any widespread action this time ....  the next flood could be weeks or years away ...  Some good moves at Grantham.

Hopefully some common sense may prevail. Anything that has flooded along the Brisbane/Bremer/Lockyer/Enoggera catchment in this event is highly likely to go under again in the near future. Simply, properties should not be in these locations, and the locations should be turned to parkland.

Dry dams (i.e usually empty dams that can reduce the flood peaks) in the tributaries may be a low cost way of reducing floods. However, BrizCommuter is only a armchair dam engineer, and may be wrong!

On a smaller scale that's called a detention/retention basin. The problem with retrofitting things like that to existing catchments is that many areas already contain development based on the existing water flows and what may currently be a house that sits near (but remains dry) a swollen tributary during a storm event could easily become a house that gets flooded by that same creek because of water building up behind a dam/dam like device.

For interest, you can also get the reverse happening where things like railway embankments block water causing flooding upstream which the locals complain about so they'll install bigger culverts through the embankment or make a small bridge and now those houses upstream are fine, but houses downstream can now be flooded to a greater extent as the water gets through to them quicker.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Premier Campbell Newman calls for an end to rebuild roundabout

[colinw]

Lovely bit of trolling in the Canberra Times -> Queensland opens floodgates