Flooding at Boonara Creek (Photo: Richard Pennell)

January 30, 2013

Latest updates from Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and the South Burnett Disaster Management Committee.

* * *

At 2.00pm today:

Roads

  • Krebs Bridge remains closed at this point in time. Water receding slowly and inspections will most likely occur late this afternoon.
  • Manar Road remains closed. Council staff are working tirelessly to ensure the road is open to traffic with care to allow the stranded visitors to leave Manar Park and travel safely home.

Please note the number of road closures is increasing due to almost every Council road, apart from the Blackbutt area being damaged.

* * *

Water & Sewerage

Emergency Water Restrictions remain in place across all towns in the South Burnett Region. Residents can still use water within the home however no external use is permitted under these restrictions.

  • Wondai Water – Fully operational.
  • Murgon Water – Temporary pump is being connected this morning and it is anticipated that this supply will be restored by end of the day. There is still adequate potable water storage within the town reservoirs.
  • Kingaroy – Gordonbrook Dam is currently 0.1m over the spillway. A lot of erosion has occurred downstream. Consumers may experience some discoloured water, however it is still safe to drink.
  • Nanango – Fully operational. There has been no contamination to the water supply and it is still safe to drink.
  • Proston Rural Water – Repairs to the McEuen main break is being arranged this morning and it is planned to have at least a temporary repair made by end of the day.
  • Blackbutt, Wooroolin and Kumbia water supplies have not been affected.
  • Yallakool will receive a truck load of water today to fill raw water tanks so that the treatment plant can be made operational again and restore potable water supply.

* * *

Below is an update on the Evacuation Centres across the region:

  • Proston (Town Hall) – 15 people on site
  • Murgon (PCYC) –  no people on site
  • Nanango – closed
  • Kingaroy (Town Hall) – 27 people on site
  • Yallakool – Closed
  • Moffatdale – 0 people on site
  • Manar Tourist Park – 250 people on site. The Local Disaster Management Group is looking into methods to resupply the area until the road network is restored. Food drops have been successful. Council is liaising with the rescue helicopter services to ensuring the health and safety of residents and visitors.

* * *

Road Closures

Council advises all motorists to obey road signage. Not following road signs endangers peoples lives and takes away our emergency resources.

* * *

Next update will be at 4:30pm

Earlier today:

Roads

  • Memerambi Barker Creek Road closed at Burnett Highway, Nanango.
  • Krebs Bridge remains closed at this point in time. Inspections will continue this morning – it’s hoped the bridge will be re-opened later today.
  • D’Aguilar Highway (between Kingaroy and Nanango) is open to traffic with reduced speed limits.
  • Stuart River Bridge (Boondooma Proston) will be inspected today.

Please note the number of road closures is increasing due to almost every Council road, apart from the Blackbutt area, being damaged.

* * *
Water and Sewerage

Emergency Water Restrictions remain in place across all towns in the South Burnett Region. Residents can still use water within the home but no external use is permitted under these restrictions.

  • Wondai Water – Fully operational.
  • Murgon Water – Temporary pump is being connected this morning and it is anticipated that this supply will be restored by end of the day. There is still adequate potable water storage within the town reservoirs.
  • Kingaroy – Gordonbrook Dam is currently 0.1m over the spillway. A lot of erosion has occurred downstream. Consumers may experience some discoloured water, but it is still safe to drink.
  • Nanango – Fully operational. There has been no contamination to the water supply and it is safe to drink.
  • Proston Rural Water – Repairs to the McEuen main break are being arranged this morning and it is planned to have at least a temporary repair made by end of the day.

Blackbutt, Wooroolin and Kumbia water supplies have not been affected.

Yallakool will receive a truckload of water today to fill raw water tanks so that the treatment plant can be made operational again and restore potable water supply.

Repairs are being arranged on the sewerage Trunk Main in River Road, Kingaroy as a small section has collapsed near Ken Mills Toyota.

Council workers yesterday successfully replaced a 13m stretch of pipeline, washed away on the Barkers Creek flat, restoring Nanango’s water supply

* * *

Below is an update on the Evacuation Centres across the region:

  • Proston (Town Hall) – 49 people on site
  • Murgon (PCYC) – 24 people on site
  • Nanango – Now closed as all people have moved on
  • Kingaroy (Town Hall) – 15 people on site
  • Yallakool – Closed and everyone has been moved to the evacuation centre in Murgon or the caravan park.
  • Moffatdale – 30 people on site
  • Manar Tourist Park – 250 people on site. The Local Disaster Management Group is looking into methods to resupply the area until the road network is restored. Food drops currently being undertaken.

Council is liaising with the rescue helicopter services to ensuring the health and safety of residents and visitors.

* * *

NB: Food drops are currently being undertaken to supply the 250 people stranded at Manar Tourist Park, near Proston.

* * *
Next update will be today at 1:00pm.