November 5, 2020
Electrical equipment at the Gordonbrook Water Treatment Plant was knocked out of action when the plant was struck by lightning during last Saturday’s thunderstorm.
However, prompt action by Council staff prevented residents experiencing any supply disruptions.
South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto said Council’s Water and Wastewater team – along with electrical contractors – worked through Saturday night and Sunday to maintain supply to residents connected to the Kingaroy Water Supply Scheme.
“Water operators managed the plant to ensure that water quality and supply could be maintained,” the Mayor said.
“Council is extremely grateful for the efforts of our staff in keeping the town’s water flowing under very difficult circumstances.
“We are very fortunate to have such committed people within our organisation.”
Other Council teams also took to the region’s roads to tackle minor flash flooding and road debris incidents reported at Proston, Ironpot, Kingaroy, the Bunya Mountains, Blackbutt, Benarkin, Wooroolin, Nanango, Benair, Wattlegrove and Gordonbrook.
“Council’s road network was compromised, with a number of large trees downed and minor flooding on some low level crossings,” Mayor Otto said.
“Council crews worked through Saturday afternoon and evening to ensure those roads were made safe for our community.
“The rain no sooner stopped when our crews were on the ground dealing with the damage, which was a tremendous effort.
“The efforts of our road crews was amazing, and I’d like to pass on our sincere thanks for their commitment to keeping our roads open and safe.”
At Wednesday’s Standing Committee meeting, Councillors were told that while the weekend storm caused problems at the water plant and on local roads, it had not brought enough rain to make a significant difference to local water storages.
Both Boondooma and Bjelke-Petersen dams are expected to receive barely half a per cent of additional water from the storm.
At present, Boondooma Dam is at 30.7 per cent capacity and BP Dam is at 12 per cent.
