The South Burnett Local Disaster Management Group met this morning, Wednesday 1 December, to discuss the rapid rainfall and flash flooding in the region.
LDMG Chair Councillor Roz Frohloff gave an update acknowledging the multi-agency response over the past 24 hours, as emergency services and Council attended a number of incidents involving road closures and damage to property.
The LDMG continues to operate with full coordination today as further rainfall is currently occurring and is
expected this afternoon.
South Burnett Disaster Dashboard continues to operate with road closures listed and updated by Council and Queensland Police Service (QPS) as information is provided.
On Tuesday, 30 November, the LDMG moved their warning to ‘Stand Up’ in light of the rain that was received over the region on the weekend with the forecast of more rainfall on the way.
Due to the recent rain received, the South Burnett road network has already sustained some damage and Council crews continue to monitor conditions for the safety of the community. Council and LDMG are working together to mitigate the impacts of this rain event.
Council crews have been working hard to ensure safety hazards on our roads are protected and repaired temporarily while damage assessment is undertaken.
Council monitors over 3000 kilometres of road network and conditions will change regularly and quickly, therefore Council and Queensland Police Service are unable to inspect the entire network.
Due to the immediate impact and demand of these weather events and damage caused, there will be delays on non-urgent customer requests directed to the Infrastructure team. All Council efforts are currently being redirected to the current and potential impacts of this event.
While we have stood the LDMG up, we are at this stage not running a full coordination centre. This will be done so on an as needs basis with further updates to come.
South Burnett residents are advised:
• In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero 000
• For sandbagging, leaking roofs, roof damage, download the “SES Assistance QLD” app available on Android and Apple devices if phone lines are busy or call 132 500.
• Impacts to roads e.g. flooded, damaged, please continue to call Council’s after-hours team on 07 4189 9100.
QPS advises residents not to drive or walk through floodwater and avoid unnecessary travel. If you must
travel, please drive to the prevailing road conditions, adhere to signage and do not drive through floodwater.
Residents should not expect see warnings signs for every crossing given the widespread impact of rainfall.
The LDMG will continue to maintain the dashboard as information is provided and will communicate further
updates on major travel routes if conditions change.
Councillor Frohloff encourages all people to call Triple Zero 000 in a life-threatening emergency and call 132
500 for assistance with damage to property.
Keep up to date on all road closures, weather warnings, flood warnings and emergency news on the South Burnett Disaster Dashboard http://dashboard.southburnett.qld.gov.au/.
For further information contact Council’s Disaster Management team on 1300 789 279, 4189 9100 email
info@sbrc.qld.gov.au.
