WEDNESDAY 30.3.22
An open letter to the Lord Mayor and CEO of Council
Dear Lord Mayor and Mr Jensen
It is now more than one month post Brisbane’s major flood which has had a devastating impact on Tennyson Ward homes, parks, infrastructure and public spaces.
Dozens of parks, parks facilities, pathways and playgrounds remain closed despite the Lord Mayor’s public pronouncements that they are open. They are not.
I understand and appreciate that it is a big job to clean up all the damage in my ward and around Brisbane but I am told that Tennyson Ward has the most affected public parks and facilities by local officers. I am also told that there are 70 crews working on recovery with 20 in Tennyson Ward.
Both they and I have worked hard in the past two weeks to identify and prioritise park recovery, with a focus on the major district parks that are so well used by our community. I have reported, called, emailed and spoken with the local parks officers and I don’t believe they are being supported to undertake the essential clean up that is needed.
Over the weekend of 19/20 March I was advised by PPI that major clean-up operations were planned and I discussed a list of priority parks out of the dozens closed. This included Faulkner Park Graceville, Sherwood Arboretum, Nixon Park Oxley and many, many more. The clean-up did not occur and I was told resources were directed “elsewhere”. Where is my first question, followed by why?
Since then clean-up activities have been extremely limited. Council picked up the rubbish on the ground in Nixon Park Oxley, Mackay Regional Council cleaned up the Sherwood Arboretum and Faulkner Park remains closed with no clean-up. There are dozens more parks where nothing has happened.
Imagine my surprise today when I saw multiple teams and bobcats cleaning up a boat ramp in Fig Tree Pocket. I am not sure why that would be priority? Perhaps you could explain why restoring a boat ramp has been prioritised over dozens of closed pathways, parks and playgrounds?
Meanwhile in Graceville, the shared pathway used by thousands of people everyday including children to head to the largest primary school in my ward, kindy, sport, a playground and dog park remains closed. Yes there was a sewerage spill but why hasn’t the pathway been hosed off, the rubbish picked up and the pathways reopened? The photo shows the closed sign leading to a Council Active Travel school of 800+ children and a Kindy closed.
Can you please advise me who made the decision to prioritise cleaning up the Fig Tree Pocket boat ramp before one of the busiest parks in Tennyson Ward that provides a critical active transport connection in Graceville?
Why do the 1 or 2 people a week, probably less that use the Fig Tree Pocket boat ramp take priority over a shared pathway used by thousands of people every day for active travel, recreation and sport? Could it be they are in a marginal “Schrinner Council” Ward?
People want to use the parks and pathways not the boat ramps – how is it you don’t know that?
I am being told one thing but clearly very little is happening on the ground. I understand that this is a big job but Tennyson Ward, by Council’s own admission, has been devastated but there seems to be little priority or urgency about the clean-up effort.
Most importantly I would like you to explain to the people of Graceville or Oxley why a boat ramp in Fig Tree Pocket is being cleaned up as a priority? I am appalled at what is going on, the lack of communication about the clean-up process with me and the community, the lack of accountability and transparency in the process. It’s not good enough.
Regards, Nicole Johnston.
MONDAY 28.3.22
Hi Everyone
Well it is raining again, which I am sure is making many people nervous, me included. The full weather forecast is below but the rain trough is setting in and is likely to cause flash flooding in low lying parts of the ward. Estimates of up to 200mm are forecast today easing through to Wednesday.
No roads are blocked yet in Tennyson Ward but water is pooling on Oxley Rd, Oxley and Cliveden Ave, Corinda. If the rain continues roads will be cut in the usual places in Oxley, Corinda, Sherwood and Rocklea. Water also pools on Fairfield Rd and Graceville Ave, so please take care and drive slowly where you see large pools of water partially blocking roads. Please do not drive through flood waters.
Oxley Creek is behaving itself but the catchment is severely waterlogged and water will be slow to drain away. No river flooding is forecast at this time BUT this is a severe weather event, and I urge people to exercise caution, work from home if you can and limit your movements in this heavy rain.
If the stormwater drain in your street is blocked call Council immediately on 3403 8888 or my office on 3403 8605. A lot of debris is washing down into the stormwater system and we need to be on alert for blocked drains.
Finally, I want to thank the Tzu Chi Foundation who have provided so much help to our community over the past month. They helped generously in 2011 and have been instrumental behind the scenes in helping our community to recover in 2022 as well. At their giving event on Saturday, they donated $171,000 to 160 families in some of Brisbane and Ipswich’s worst flood-affected suburbs, including Oxley, Fairfield and Corinda.
Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if we can be of any assistance.
Regards Nicole.
WEATHER UPDATE
Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 140 mm are possible, reaching up to 180 mm over coastal areas and ranges. Locally intense rainfall leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible with thunderstorms with six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 200 mm. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected. Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of southern Queensland, refer to www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Caboolture, Coolangatta and Ipswich.
FLOOD RECOVERY
Kerbside Collection and Waste Services
Kerbside clean-up is ongoing. Please put items out on the kerb and keep the road and gutters clear. If there is flood waste on the kerb outside your home requiring removal, please phone my office on 3403 8605 and we will notify Council.
Energex Process to Restore Power
- If you are without power and your home has been flooded, Energex will issue you with a Form 3 or place a notification sticker/tag in your switchboard or meter box.
- You, or your landlord, will need to then arrange a safety inspection by a licensed electrical contractor. You can phone the Master Electricians Australia on 1300 889 198 or National Electrical and Communications Association on 1300 361 099.
- The electrical contractor will conduct testing to confirm whether your home is safe for reconnection to power and will notify Energex.
- Energex will reconnect the power to your home if safe to do so.
Pools
If your pool was affected by the flood, I suggest getting in contact with your local pool shop for advice before draining it. Leave it to settle, then flocking and pumping. The following are some local pool shops who may be able to assist:
- JC Pool Services & Repairs, Fairfield — 3392 7355
- Poolwerx Yeronga — 3892 3260
- Pool Culture, Graceville — 3379 6899
- Shelly and her team at Yeronga Memorial Pool — 3848 8575
Lost Watercraft and Pontoons
If you have lost a watercraft or pontoon, please email brisbaneICC@tmr.qld.gov.au with pictures and registration information.
Petrol Gurney for Loan
My office has a petrol gurney available for loan courtesy of Taylor Bridge Rotary Club. Please call us on 3403 8605 if you would like to borrow it.
Donate to GIVIT
If you are in a position to donate, there is a flood appeal running via the website GIVIT. The appeal is seeking donations of gift vouchers and household items.
Thread Together
Thread Together are providing brand new clothing to flood-affected people at their pop up emergency hub at St Andrews Anglican Church, 89 Fairley St, Indooroopilly. Book a 30 minute appointment to browse, try on and take home some new clothing: https://calendly.com/indooroopill…/clothing-appointment…
Sandbags
Sandbags are available for collection from the Darra Depot at 38 Shamrock St, Darra.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRES
The Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga is open every day 9am-5pm for flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Internet and showers
- Counselling and support
Melinda and her team did this all in 2011 and are experienced and caring.
Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre at 38 Thallon St, Sherwood is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday this week to assist with flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Counselling and support
Federal Government Grants
Online — apply via myGov. Further information available here.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a lump sum payment — $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) a 13 week payment where your income is affected. Available to employees, sole traders and primary producers.
Queensland State Government Grants
Online — www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au
Telephone — Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person (up to $900 for a family of five or more) for essential needs including temporary accommodation, food, essential clothing and medication.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person (up to $750 for a family of five or more) for the loss of one or more essential services (eg power) for more than five days.
- Essential Household Contents Grant* – one-off payment towards replacing or repairing essential household contents. Up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.
- Structural Assistance Grant* – one-off payment towards repairs to your home (owner/occupied households) to make it secure and safe. Up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme* – up to $200 towards a safety inspection and reconnection costs (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system) and up to $4,200 towards repair work (for example, electrical rewiring).*** These grants are subject to an Income Test***
Small Business Grants
Online — www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/protecting-business/disaster-resilience/south-east-queensland-floods
In person — pop-up Business Recovery Hub at The Clubhouse Moorooka, 76 Koala Rd, Moorooka from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Flood Recovery Grant – for directly impacted businesses The extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grant is up to $50,000 and can be used for clean-up activities, repairs including to equipment, flooring, and walls, insurance excesses, and replacing lost stock not covered by insurance (details on how to apply are below).
- Disaster Assistance Loan – for directly impacted businesses. Disaster Assistance Loans offer up to $250,000 which can be used to repair or replace damaged plant, equipment, or buildings, replace stock or meet carry on costs including rents or rates.
- Disaster Assistance Loan – for indirectly impacted businesses. Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) offers up to $100,000 which can be used to pay staff, creditors, rent or rates and purchase goods that are essential for your business such as fuel.
Council Rates Rebate
A $250 rates rebate is available for flooded residents and businesses on their quarterly bill. You can now apply online via Council’s website. Issuing of the April quarter rates notices for all residents will be postponed by one month until late April-early May. Compassionate plans are also available for cases of financial hardship.
Urban Utilities Water Usage Rebate
A $50 water usage rebate will be automatically applied to the water bill of flood-affected homes. Urban Utilities are also waiving fixed water and sewerage charges for customers whose homes are uninhabitable due to flood damage (to at least 31 December 2022). Compassionate payment plans are available. Further information is available online or by calling 13 26 57.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society are able to assist with immediate necessities like food and clothing, as well as replacing uninsured furniture and white goods. Call the Vinnies Helpline on 1800 846 643 to be put in touch with one of our local conferences for assistance.
RED CROSS FLOOD RELIEF GRANT
The Red Cross are offering $500 flood relief grants to people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of flood impact to their primary place of residence. Apply online or in person at Yeronga Community Centre.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Police 000 (emergencies)
SES 132 500
QUU 132 364
Energex 13 19 62 (emergency) 13 62 62 (loss of supply)
BCC 3403 8888
Translink 131 230 Severe weather may affect bus and rail services. Check the website here for updates.
Lifeline 13 11 14
MONDAY 21.3.22
This morning I wrote to the Deputy Premier and Lord Mayor about flood recovery and people who are falling through the cracks. I was distressed to see a major press conference talking about $1.8b for general infrastructure and the Olympics, but still no funding for flood recovery and building back better. A copy of my letter is below.
Dear Deputy Premier and Lord Mayor
Currently there are many vulnerable residents in my ward who are uninsured or under insured and for many reasons struggling to progress their flood recovery and rebuild.
Several thousand residents have been flooded in my ward, many catastrophically. Many are able to help themselves or are insured and will recover in time.
However, Brisbane City Council is failing to help those who were missed by the mud army’s very short activities on 5 March. Currently, Council (and the army who have been assisting) refuse to remove gyprock or other flooded materials from homes and the State Government’s grants are small and means tested. Even this help is coming to an end. Council refuses to extend the flood resilient homes to all parts of Brisbane in a politically motivated programme that excludes some of Brisbane’s worst flood-affected homes. Some people are stuck with wet and damaged homes and no way of fixing them. It’s not always about money either. Project management is needed to ensure that homes can be safely repaired with modern flood resistant materials and if not, buy back should be considered.
People are falling between the cracks.
After 2011 the State Government gave larger grants of up to $80,000 to help rebuild owner occupied homes that were uninsured or underinsured. Support of this nature is required again. Building standards need to be considered to ensure rebuild of properties that will flood again is undertaken in a flood resistant way where possible. Funding and project management to raise homes should be considered.
The houses most at risk need professional rebuilds with flood resistant materials. In some cases buy back should be considered either for parkland purposes or possibly appropriate land use change in future.
I strongly recommend that BCC and the State Government urgently fund and task the Brisbane Housing Corporation with the resources, funding and authority to project manage flood recovery and rebuilding activities. BHC have expertise in managing residential buildings in the affordable housing space. They have the professional and policy knowledge, industry partnerships and construction experience to address rebuilding activities in Brisbane.
If not BHC then a dedicated task force, but BHC is ready to go and presumably the State and Council could scale them up relatively quickly rather than starting from scratch.
Currently we are still calling on volunteers to help which is not ideal. Why the army has not been allowed to help with demolition works is unclear.
If the QRA are doing this again please let me know, but so far there has been no advice about their role to project manage recovery and rebuild for residents unable to do so. I’ve been asking my State Members (Miller and Mount Ommaney) with no advice on what the QRA will do regarding project management.
There’s some talk of Red Cross support from Council but this is unconfirmed and not their area of expertise.
There’s also a housing crisis, so people are pretty much homeless and their only asset is uninhabitable and possibly unsuitable for rebuilding.
If you have a better course of action please urgently let me know. At the moment it seems that there is no help for some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents. They are in limbo.
An excellent pilot project would be… (removed for privacy reasons).
Requests to Council for support remain unanswered. Other serious cases have also been referred to Council with no action to date. The State must play a role here. Some houses I have reported in the past few weeks are unsafe and have people, including children, living in them.
Let’s help the community, especially vulnerable residents, rebuild or recover safely and efficiently.
I can be contacted on 3403 8605 or (removed for privacy reasons) to discuss this further.
I would not be the only ward in Brisbane or elsewhere in Queensland where help is needed. I appreciate this, but in talking to other Brisbane Councillors it seems they have the same need.
On a day when you will all be politically campaigning on the “City deal” and talking about the Olympics there’s critically important disaster relief and rebuilding work still to be done.
Regards, Nicole Johnston.
FLOOD RECOVERY
Kerbside Collection and Waste Services
Kerbside clean-up is ongoing. Please put items out on the kerb and keep the road and gutters clear. If there is flood waste on the kerb outside your home requiring removal, please phone my office on 3403 8605 and we will notify Council.
Bin Collections
Bin collection services are now operating as normal where streets are accessible.
Resource Recovery Centres
All Resource Recovery Centres are open and accessible to the public. Brisbane Landfill is open and accessible. There is free tipping for flood-related waste.
Energex Process to Restore Power
- If you are without power and your home has been flooded, Energex will issue you with a Form 3 or place a notification sticker/tag in your switchboard or meter box.
- You, or your landlord, will need to then arrange a safety inspection by a licensed electrical contractor. You can phone the Master Electricians Australia on 1300 889 198 or National Electrical and Communications Association on 1300 361 099.
- The electrical contractor will conduct testing to confirm whether your home is safe for reconnection to power and will notify Energex.
- Energex will reconnect the power to your home if safe to do so.
Pools
If your pool was affected by the flood, I suggest getting in contact with your local pool shop for advice before draining it. Leave it to settle, then flocking and pumping. The following are some local pool shops who may be able to assist:
- JC Pool Services & Repairs, Fairfield — 3392 7355
- Poolwerx Yeronga — 3892 3260
- Pool Culture, Graceville — 3379 6899
- Shelly and her team at Yeronga Memorial Pool — 3848 8575
Lost Watercraft and Pontoons
If you have lost a watercraft or pontoon, please email brisbaneICC@tmr.qld.gov.au with pictures and registration information.
Petrol Gurney for Loan
My office has a petrol gurney available for loan courtesy of Taylor Bridge Rotary Club. Please call us on 3403 8605 if you would like to borrow it.
Donate to GIVIT
If you are in a position to donate, there is a flood appeal running via the website GIVIT. The appeal is seeking donations of gift vouchers and household items.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRES
The Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga is open every day 9am-5pm for flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Internet and showers
- Counselling and support
Melinda and her team did this all in 2011 and are experienced and caring.
Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre at 38 Thallon St, Sherwood is open this week until Wednesday (possibly longer — phone ahead on 3379 6963 to check) to assist with flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Counselling and support
Federal Government Grants
Online — apply via myGov. Further information available here.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a lump sum payment — $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) a 13 week payment where your income is affected. Available to employees, sole traders and primary producers.
Queensland State Government Grants
Online — www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au
Telephone — Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person (up to $900 for a family of five or more) for essential needs including temporary accommodation, food, essential clothing and medication.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person (up to $750 for a family of five or more) for the loss of one or more essential services (eg power) for more than five days.
- Essential Household Contents Grant* – one-off payment towards replacing or repairing essential household contents. Up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.
- Structural Assistance Grant* – one-off payment towards repairs to your home (owner/occupied households) to make it secure and safe. Up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme* – up to $200 towards a safety inspection and reconnection costs (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system) and up to $4,200 towards repair work (for example, electrical rewiring).*** These grants are subject to an Income Test***
Small Business Grants
- Flood Recovery Grant – for directly impacted businesses The extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grant is up to $50,000 and can be used for clean-up activities, repairs including to equipment, flooring, and walls, insurance excesses, and replacing lost stock not covered by insurance (details on how to apply are below).
- Disaster Assistance Loan – for directly impacted businesses. Disaster Assistance Loans offer up to $250,000 which can be used to repair or replace damaged plant, equipment, or buildings, replace stock or meet carry on costs including rents or rates.
- Disaster Assistance Loan – for indirectly impacted businesses. Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) offers up to $100,000 which can be used to pay staff, creditors, rent or rates and purchase goods that are essential for your business such as fuel.
Council Rates Rebate
A $250 rates rebate is available for flooded residents and businesses on their quarterly bill. You can now apply online via Council’s website. Issuing of the April quarter rates notices for all residents will be postponed by one month until late April-early May. Compassionate plans are also available for cases of financial hardship.
Community Facility Disaster Relief Grants
Community organisations and sporting clubs operating from a Council leased or licensed community facility impacted by flooding are eligible for a $5000 payment to assist with clean up and making facilities safe. To apply, email communityfacilities@brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone 3403 8888 and ask to speak to the Community Facilities Operations Team.
Not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations can now apply for up to $5000 of funding from the State Government’s Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Programme to assist with urgent repairs. Applications must be made online via the State Government Applicant Portal.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society are able to assist with immediate necessities like food and clothing, as well as replacing uninsured furniture and white goods. Call the Vinnies Helpline on 1800 846 643 to be put in touch with one of our local conferences for assistance.
RED CROSS FLOOD RELIEF GRANT
The Red Cross are offering $500 flood relief grants to people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of flood impact to their primary place of residence. Apply online or in person at Yeronga Community Centre.
USEFUL COMMUNITY FACEBOOK GROUPS
It’s been incredible to see everyone looking out for their neighbours on social media. There are a number of local Facebook groups you can turn to for local support:
- Need a Hand, Lend a Hand (Graceville & Surrounds)
- Brisbane Westside Unconditional Giving
- Oxley Community 4075
- Yeronga Residents
- Fairfield Brisbane Community Page
- Chelmer / Graceville Community
- Corinda / Sherwood Community 4075
- Tennyson Residents Association (TRA)
- 4075 Community
- Annerley Community (not flood related)
MONDAY 14.3.22
Hi everyone
Flood recovery continues in earnest around the Ward. First pass waste collections are almost complete.
Council has started assessing hazardous waste out on the verge, but the teams assessing the waste cannot pick the waste up. They then notify the contractor. It’s worse than an episode of ‘Yes Minister’ in Council’s disaster team. If you have hazardous waste on your frontage, call my office on 3403 8605 or the Call Centre directly on 3403 8888. Instead of doing a sweep around the flooded areas like they should, and like they did last time, they are trying to identify particular locations. You will not be forgotten.
There will be further general waste collections and verge restoration over coming weeks.
There are approx. 120 flooded streets in the Ward and I am determined that Council will get to all of them, on multiple sweeps. We are aware people are still awaiting insurance assessors or cleaning up.
Help is still available by calling my office on 3403 8605 and via the Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga 9am – 5pm. They are an experienced community-based one-stop flood hub for financial and practical support. More details on flood support and recovery activities are noted below.
We have made the decision to go ahead with the Movie in Park on Saturday night at Yeronga. Food and music from 5.30pm and movie from 6.45pm. It’s a 40th anniversary screening of ET, a family classic. The movie is free and you can bring a picnic or low cost food options will be available to purchase. I know that a lot of people have been hard hit by the floods and the Movie in the Park will be great way to catch up with friends and family in our wonderful community. I hope to see you there.
Regards, Nicole.
FLOOD RECOVERY
Kerbside Collection and Waste Services
Kerbside clean-up is ongoing. Please put items out on the kerb and keep the road and gutters clear. Multiple sweeps will take place in coming weeks.
Bin Collections
Bin collection services are now operating as normal where streets are accessible.
Resource Recovery Centres
All Resource Recovery Centres are open and accessible to the public. Brisbane Landfill is open and accessible. There is free tipping for flood-related waste.
Free Tetanus Vaccinations
Free tetanus vaccinations are now available from Brisbane City Council’s immunisation clinics until 18 March. There is a clinic this Wednesday, 16 March at the Indooroopilly Uniting Church, 74 Station Rd, Indooroopilly.
Energex Process to Restore Power
- If you are without power and your home has been flooded, Energex will issue you with a Form 3 or place a notification sticker/tag in your switchboard or meter box.
- You, or your landlord, will need to then arrange a safety inspection by a licensed electrical contractor. You can phone the Master Electricians Australia on 1300 889 198 or National Electrical and Communications Association on 1300 361 099.
- The electrical contractor will conduct testing to confirm whether your home is safe for reconnection to power and will notify Energex.
- Energex will reconnect the power to your home if safe to do so.
Pools
If your pool was affected by the flood, I suggest getting in contact with your local pool shop for advice before draining it. Leave it to settle, then flocking and pumping. The following are some local pool shops who may be able to assist:
- JC Pool Services & Repairs, Fairfield — 3392 7355
- Poolwerx Yeronga — 3892 3260
- Pool Culture, Graceville — 3379 6899
- Shelly and her team at Yeronga Memorial Pool — 3848 8575
Lost Watercraft and Pontoons
If you have lost a watercraft or pontoon, please email brisbaneICC@tmr.qld.gov.au with pictures and registration information.
Petrol Gurney for Loan
My office has a petrol gurney available for loan courtesy of Taylor Bridge Rotary Club. Please call us on 3403 8605 if you would like to borrow it.
Donate to GIVIT
If you are in a position to donate, there is a flood appeal running via the website GIVIT. The appeal is seeking donations of gift vouchers and household items.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRES
The Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga is open every day 9am-5pm for flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Internet and showers
- Counselling and support
Melinda and her team did this all in 2011 and are experienced and caring.
Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre at 38 Thallon St, Sherwood is open this week to assist with flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Counselling and support
Federal Government Grants
Online — apply via myGov. Further information available here.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a lump sum payment — $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) a 13 week payment where your income is affected. Available to employees, sole traders and primary producers.
Queensland State Government Grants
Online — www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au
Telephone — Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person (up to $900 for a family of five or more) for essential needs including temporary accommodation, food, essential clothing and medication.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person (up to $750 for a family of five or more) for the loss of one or more essential services (eg power) for more than five days.
- Essential Household Contents Grant* – one-off payment towards replacing or repairing essential household contents. Up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.
- Structural Assistance Grant* – one-off payment towards repairs to your home (owner/occupied households) to make it secure and safe. Up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme* – up to $200 towards a safety inspection and reconnection costs (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system) and up to $4,200 towards repair work (for example, electrical rewiring).*** These grants are subject to an Income Test***
Small Business Grants
- Flood Recovery Grant – for directly impacted businesses The extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grant is up to $50,000 and can be used for clean-up activities, repairs including to equipment, flooring, and walls, insurance excesses, and replacing lost stock not covered by insurance.
- Disaster Assistance Loan – for directly impacted businesses. Disaster Assistance Loans offer up to $250,000 which can be used to repair or replace damaged plant, equipment, or buildings, replace stock or meet carry on costs including rents or rates.
- Disaster Assistance Loan – for indirectly impacted businesses. Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) offers up to $100,000 which can be used to pay staff, creditors, rent or rates and purchase goods that are essential for your business such as fuel.
Council Rates Rebate
A $250 rates rebate is available for flooded residents and businesses on their quarterly bill. You can now apply online via Council’s website. Issuing of the April quarter rates notices for all residents will be postponed by one month until late April-early May. Compassionate plans are also available for cases of financial hardship.
Community Facility Disaster Relief Grants
Community organisations and sporting clubs operating from a Council leased or licensed community facility impacted by flooding are eligible for a $5000 payment to assist with clean up and making facilities safe. To apply, email communityfacilities@brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone 3403 8888 and ask to speak to the Community Facilities Operations Team.
Not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations can now apply for up to $5000 of funding from the State Government’s Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Programme to assist with urgent repairs. Applications must be made online.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society are able to assist with immediate necessities like food and clothing, as well as replacing uninsured furniture and white goods. Call the Vinnies Helpline on 1800 846 643 to be put in touch with one of our local conferences for assistance.
USEFUL COMMUNITY FACEBOOK GROUPS
It’s been incredible to see everyone looking out for their neighbours on social media. There are a number of local Facebook groups you can turn to for local support:
- Need a Hand, Lend a Hand (Graceville & Surrounds)
- Brisbane Westside Unconditional Giving
- Oxley Community 4075
- Yeronga Residents
- Fairfield Brisbane Community Page
- Chelmer / Graceville Community
- Corinda / Sherwood Community 4075
- Tennyson Residents Association (TRA)
- 4075 Community
- Annerley Community (not flood related)
Public Transport Services
Translink advise some services across the network are delayed or cancelled and to check the services update page for most up to date information.
- Most train services have resumed. Most services are operating to a Saturday timetable with 15 minute services operational during peak periods (6am-9am, 3:30pm – 6:30pm). From this Wednesday 16 March, services will return to a normal weekday timetable. For more information visit the Translink website.
- CityCats/KittyCats/Cross River Ferries – all services cancelled.
Water Supply
- UU have advised water is safe to drink and Brisbane water supply is not at risk.
MONDAY 7.3.22
Hi everyone
The Council clean up is well underway and I have seen trucks in every suburb. There is a huge amount of waste to collect and it is taking some time. You have not been forgotten, and I am moving through the nine flooded suburbs on a regular basis and providing feedback to Council. Multiple clean ups will be happening, so please don’t worry if you have not finished taking your items to the kerb. If you need help to do this, please call my office on 3403 8605 as Council has targeted disaster help available to clean up your home and move items to the kerb.
If you have been flooded, I encourage you to visit the Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga open 9am-5pm. It’s a one stop shop for government disaster payments, support, advice, food and more. Further details are below with information about flood support.
My office is open and functioning at Fairfield Gardens after being evacuated and without power last week. Please call us on 3403 8605 and we can assist you. We are prioritising flood requests at the moment.
I know people are exhausted physically and emotionally, but we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
Regards, Nicole.
FLOOD RECOVERY
Kerbside Collection and Waste Services
Kerbside clean-up is ongoing. Please put items out on the kerb and keep the road and gutters clear. Multiple sweeps will take place in coming weeks. There were 568 crew and 620 trucks in action on kerbside collection today, and an estimated 5200 tonnes of waste was removed from 42 streets.
Bin Collections
Bin collection services are now operating as normal where streets are accessible.
Resource Recovery Centres
All Resource Recovery Centres are open and accessible to the public. Brisbane Landfill is open and accessible. There is free tipping for flood-related waste.
Free Tetanus Vaccinations
Free tetanus vaccinations are now available from Brisbane City Council’s immunisation clinics until 18 March. The next clinic in our area is this Friday, 11 March at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall St, Corinda.
Energex Process to Restore Power
I am aware that there are still pockets of the Ward without power in Graceville, Oxley, Sherwood and Yeronga. Energex have advised they are working to restore power to these areas by Tuesday 8 March.
- If you are without power and your home has been flooded, Energex will issue you with a Form 3 or place a notification sticker/tag in your switchboard or meter box.
- You, or your landlord, will need to then arrange a safety inspection by a licensed electrical contractor. You can phone the Master Electricians Australia on 1300 889 198 or National Electrical and Communications Association on 1300 361 099.
- The electrical contractor will conduct testing to confirm whether your home is safe for reconnection to power and will notify Energex.
- Energex will reconnect the power to your home if safe to do so.
Pools
If your pool was affected by the flood, I suggest getting in contact with your local pool shop for advice before draining it. Leave it to settle, then flocking and pumping. The following are some local pool shops who may be able to assist:
- JC Pool Services & Repairs, Fairfield — 3392 7355
- Poolwerx Yeronga — 3892 3260
- Pool Culture, Graceville — 3379 6899
Lost Watercraft and Pontoons
If you have lost a watercraft or pontoon, please email brisbaneICC@tmr.qld.gov.au with pictures and registration information.
Petrol Gurney for Loan
My office has a petrol gurney available for loan courtesy of Taylor Bridge Rotary Club. Please call us on 3403 8605 if you would like to borrow it.
Donate to GIVIT
If you are in a position to donate, there is a flood appeal running via the website GIVIT. The appeal is seeking donations of gift vouchers and household items.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Federal Government
In person — Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga
Online — apply via myGov. Further information available here.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a lump sum payment — $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) a 13 week payment where your income is affected. Available to employees, sole traders and primary producers.
Queensland State Government
In person — Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga
Online — www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.
Telephone — Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person (up to $900 for a family of five or more) for essential needs including temporary accommodation, food, essential clothing and medication.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person (up to $750 for a family of five or more) for the loss of one or more essential services (eg power) for more than five days.oEssential Household Contents Grant* – one-off payment towards replacing or repairing essential household contents. Up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.
- Structural Assistance Grant* – one-off payment towards repairs to your home (owner/occupied households) to make it secure and safe. Up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme* – up to $200 towards a safety inspection and reconnection costs (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system) and up to $4,200 towards repair work (for example, electrical rewiring).*** These grants are subject to an Income Test***
Council Rates Rebate
A $250 rates rebate is available for flooded residents and businesses on their quarterly bill. Call 3403 8888 for further information. Issuing of the April quarter rates notices for all residents will be postponed by one month until late April-early May. Compassionate plans are also available for cases of financial hardship.
Community Facility Disaster Relief Grants
Community organisations and sporting clubs operating from a Council leased or licensed community facility impacted by flooding are eligible for a $5000 payment to assist with clean up and making facilities safe. To apply, email communityfacilities@brisbane.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND EVACUATION CENTRES
Community Support Centres
The Yeronga Community Centre at 26 Devon St, Yeronga is open every day 9am-5pm for flood support including:
- Disaster payments processed in person
- Food and supplies
- Internet and showers
- Counselling and support
Melinda and her team did this all in 2011 and are experienced and caring.
There is also community support and Centrelink workers available to assist with financial support applications onsite at Oxley Uniting Church at 114 Oxley Station Rd, Oxley.
Emergency Evacuation Centres
Sleeman Sports Complex, Old Cleveland Rd & , Tilley Rd, Chandler — residents can bring pets (Council Centre)
Useful Community Facebook Groups
It’s been incredible to see everyone looking out for their neighbours on social media. There are a number of local Facebook groups you can turn to for local support:
- Need a Hand, Lend a Hand (Graceville & Surrounds)
- Brisbane Westside Unconditional Giving
- Oxley Community 4075
- Yeronga Residents
- Fairfield Brisbane Community Page
- Chelmer / Graceville Community
- Corinda / Sherwood Community 4075
- Tennyson Residents Association (TRA)
- 4075 Community
- Annerley Community (not flood related)
SERVICES UPDATE
Public Transport Services
Translink advise some services across the network are delayed or cancelled and to check the services update page for most up to date information.
- Most train services have resumed. Services are operating to a Saturday timetable with15 minute services operational during peak periods (6am-9am, 3:30pm – 6:30pm). For more information visit the Translink website.
- Full bus services resume tomorrow Tuesday 8 March. Some bus services may experience minor interruptions and diversions due to damaged roads and bus stops. For the latest timetables, please check the Translink website.
- CityCats/KittyCats/Cross River Ferries – All services cancelled.
Water Supply
- UU have advised water is safe to drink and Brisbane water supply is not at risk.
Weather Update
Kerbside Collection and Waste Services
Energex
EMERGENCY EVACUATION CENTRES COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRES
COMMUNITY BBQS
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
ROAD UPDATE
Public Transport Services
Water SupplyWEDNESDAY 2.3.22 – 5pm **Updated 7am Thursday 3.3.22**
- Oxley Rd (still closed south of Cook St, Oxley)
- Fairfield Rd (still closed north of Brougham St, Fairfield)
- Ipswich Motorway reopened (still no access to Granard Road, Rocklea from the Ipswich Motorway)
- Graceville Ave, Graceville reopened
- Centenary Bridge at Jindalee reopened
Translink advise some services across the network are delayed or cancelled and to check the services update page for most up to date information.
- Bus and Train travel will be free until midnight this Sunday 6 March.
- Some train services will resume tomorrow. For more information visit the Translink website.
- The following bus services will run on Saturday timetables until 10pm this evening 30, 66, 111, 112, 120, 130, 135, 140, 150, 170, 172, 174, 175, 180, 184, 185, 202, 203, 204, 209, 222, 223, 224, 225, 227, 330 (services will start and end at King George Square station), 333 (services will start and end at King George Square station), 367, 370, 380, 381, 385, 433 (services will run as normal to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, before following route 444 and terminating at King George Square station), 444 (services will travel between King George Square and Kenmore Village, running express between Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and King George Square via the Legacy Way tunnel), 590 (Garden City to Cannon Hill only).
- CityCats/KittyCats/Cross River Ferries – All services cancelled.
- Mt Crosby Water Plant is still operating at reduced capacity and UU are working to increase capacity over the coming days.
- UU have advised water is safe to drink and Brisbane water supply is not at risk.
TUESDAY 1.3.22 – 5pm
Hi everyone
Water is slowly receding but many streets in the Ward remain flood affected. Keep an eye on the weather report for more info about high tides and forecast rain. Further details are below.
Please, please limit driving. Roads are congested and access is still limited in most streets that were flood affected.
Council has asked all volunteers to register for the Mud Army 2.0. Please register if you would like to help. I’ve stressed personally to the Lord Mayor the need for volunteers to seek homeowners’ permission before entering properties.
Over coming days, please put damaged household items on the kerb as kerbside collection will be coming. Keep in mind people are still trapped and flooded in their homes and there is still a food emergency unfolding for many residents.
Thank you to all the volunteers who are helping by supplying power to their neighbours, at community centres and in local streets. The most common request I’ve had today is about power outages. Please keep an eye on the Energex website. Power may be out for several days still in flood-affected areas.
Stay safe, and think about how to help locally in your neighbourhood where you can.
For those interested, over six days the rainfall in Brisbane was 793mm to 9am Monday. This broke the previous record of 656mm in 1974.
Regards, Nicole
FLOOD RECOVERY
Food Waste Bin Locations
Food waste bins will be dropped off to the following locations:
| Annerley |
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| Chelmer |
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| Corinda |
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| Fairfield |
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| Graceville |
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| Oxley |
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| Sherwood |
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| Tennyson |
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| Yeronga |
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Register for the Mud Army 2.0
You can now register as a volunteer for or for assistance from the Mud Army 2.0. Register online here.
Kerbside Collection and Waste Services
Kerbside Collection is coming. Please stack damaged household items on the kerb when safe to do so. Do not put items on the road.
Bin Collections
Bin collection services are now operating as normal.
Resource Recovery Centres
All Resource Recovery Centres are open and accessible to the public. Brisbane Landfill is open and accessible.
Energex
As at 1130 Tuesday, 1 March 41467 Customers in the Brisbane LGA are without power. Locally this includes Corinda, Sherwood, Fairfield and Yeronga. These suburbs are all close to the river and potential the issue relates to river flooding impacts. Full details on Energex site here.
Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants
If you have been affected by the flooding, there are now Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants available. Apply online here or phone 1800 173 349.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Police 000 (emergencies)
SES 132 500
QUU 132 364
Energex 13 19 62 (emergency) 13 62 62 (loss of supply)
BCC 3403 8888
Translink 131 230
Severe weather has affected bus and rail services. Check the website here for updates.
CityCat services have been suspended until further notice.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION CENTRES
Riverlife Church, 47 Jennifer St, Seventeen Mile Rocks
Graceville Presbyterian Church, 12 Bank Rd, Graceville
Sleeman Sports Complex, Old Cleveland Rd &, Tilley Rd, Chandler — residents can bring pets (Council Centre)
COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRES
Yeronga Community Centre, 26 Devon St, Yeronga — open during the day for light refreshments
Graceville State School Hall, 23 Acacia Ave, Graceville — open for school families for light refreshments
The Clubhouse Moorooka, 76 Koala Rd, Moorooka
FLOOD WEATHER UPDATE
The Brisbane River at Brisbane City peaked at a major flood level of 3.85 metres around 0915 Monday, 28 February 2022. The peak Brisbane River level recorded this morning, Tuesday 1 March 2022, was 3.35 metres at 0915. BoM predictions show subsequent peaks around 2.85 metres and to 2.75 metres late Tuesday, 1 March 2022 and morning on 2 March 2022.
There is currently a tidal anomaly of POSITIVE +350mm. A peak tide level of 1.71 m AHD (2.95m Port Datum) was recorded at the Brisbane Bar at 0837on Tuesday 1 March 2022. The predicted peak tide level for Wednesday, 2 March 2022 is 1.73 m AHD (2.97 m Port Datum) at 0930 respectively. The peak of the Brisbane River flood has coincided with the high tides on both Monday and Tuesday.
The BoM as advised that due to a trough moving through, there is a low risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon with an increasing risk of thunderstorm activity predicted to occur from Wednesday through to Sunday. Rainfall is locally to be localised with the possibility of large hail and wind. No impacts on the Brisbane River flood levels are expected.
Rainfall (current as of 0400, Tuesday 1 March 2022)
Over the last 24 hours an average of 7 mm of rainfall has occurred across Brisbane with the highest falls of 12 mm occurring in Rochedale and 10 mm in Burbank and Eagle Farm. Over the last 6 hours less than 1 mm of rainfall has occurred as isolated showers in the Brisbane LGA. Over the last 1 hour/s no rainfall has been recorded across Brisbane.
River Flooding
Based on the latest advice from BoM, the Brisbane River flood level at the Brisbane City Gauge is expected to reach a peak on Wednesday 2 March 2022 morning high tide around the MODERATE FLOOD LEVEL of 2.85 m AHD. This peak is approximately 1 m lower than the MAJOR FLOOD LEVEL of 3.85m AHD that occurred on Monday morning.
Seqwater has advised that releases from Wivenhoe Dam will continue over the next 4 days to drain water levels in the dam back down to Full Supply Level. Due to the releases MODERATE FLOOD LEVEL peaks will continue on high tides on Tuesday, 1 March 2022 evening and Wednesday, 2 March 2022 morning. MINOR FLOOD LEVEL peaks are expected to occur from Wednesday, 2 March 2022 evening to Sunday, 6 March 2022 morning.
The Brisbane River at Brisbane City is predicted to reach 2.85 metres around 2200, Tuesday 1 March 2022 evening high tide. This peak is below the major flood level (3.5 metres). Minor to moderate peaks will continue on high tides in the coming days.
Telecommunications
Optus have advised that there are 62 sites down, OPTUS have restored 6 sites overnight.
Public Transport Services
Translink advise some services across the network are delayed or cancelled and to check the services update page for most up to date information.
- CityCats/KittyCats/Cross River Ferries – All services cancelled.
- The following bus services will run on Saturday timetables until 10pm this evening 30, 66, 111, 112, 130, 135, 140, 150, 169, 170, 172, 174, 175, 180, 184, 185, 202, 203, 204, 209, 222, 330 (services will start and end at King George Square station), 333 (services will start and end at King George Square station), 367, 370, 380, 381, 385, 443 (services will run as normal to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, before following route 444 and terminating at King George Square station), 444 (services will start and end at King George Square station) and 590 (Garden City to Cannon Hill only).
- No train services will be running today Tuesday 1 March due to extensive flood damage to the network.
Water Supply
- Mt Crosby Water Plant has been impacted by sediment it is operating at significantly reduced capacity and UU are working to increase capacity over the coming days.
- UU have advised water is safe to drink and Brisbane water supply is not at risk.
MONDAY 28.2.22 – 3pm
- CityCats/KittyCats/Cross River Ferries – All services cancelled.
- No bus services are operating today.
- There are major disruptions to rail services.
- Mt Crosby Water Plant has been impacted by sediment it is operating at significantly reduced capacity and UU are working to increase capacity over the coming days.
- UU have advised water is safe to drink and Brisbane water supply is not at risk.
SUNDAY 27.2.22 – 3pm
Good afternoon everyone
The worst of this natural disaster is upon us now. Unfortunately, flooding is still slowly rising in all suburbs due to excessive rainfall and stormwater runoff. It is likely to peak again tomorrow around 8am on the high tide. Please stay home and off the road if you can.
The water has risen 1-2m on yesterday afternoon and there is property flooding in Oxley, Corinda, Chelmer, Sherwood, Graceville, Chelmer, Yeerongpilly, Yeronga, Rocklea, Tennyson and Fairfield in low-lying parts of the suburbs. Multiple roads are cut including main roads like Oxley Rd and Fairfield Rd. Please check on your neighbours. Stay close to home.
Call the SES on 132 500 or 000 if it is an emergency. Rain is forecast to continue today and this flooding is likely to continue for a few days. I will publish information about the Council clean up as soon as possible. Kerbside collection and clean up help is being planned now.
Regards, Nicole
EMERGENCY EVACUATION CENTRES
Grace Bible Church, 75 Hassall St, Corinda — open tonight for local evacuations
Sleeman Sports Complex, Old Cleveland Rd &, Tilley Rd, Chandler — residents can bring pets
COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRES
Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Ave, Corinda — BYO bedding if possible
Yeronga Community Centre, 26 Devon St, Yeronga — open during the day for light refreshments
Graceville State School Hall, 23 Acacia Ave, Graceville — open for school families for light refreshments
Road Closures – note this is not an exhaustive list.
Chelmer
- Harte St, Chelmer
- Leybourne St, Chelmer
Corinda
- Pratten St, Corinda
- Cliveden Ave, Corinda
- Deniven St, Corinda
Fairfield
- Fairfield Rd, Fairfield at Fairfield Gardens
- Brisbane Cso, Fairfield
Graceville
- Pamphlett Bridge, Graceville some water across road at Bert St Clair Oval and large pothole after bridge crossing into Graceville
- Faulkner Park, Graceville
- Long St E, Graceville
- Graceville Ave, Graceville
- Haldane St, Gravecille
- Coleman St, Graceville
Oxley
- Rocklea to Oxley Blunder Rd service Rd
- Ipswich Motorway exit 25 to Oxley
- Oxley Rd, Oxley at golf course
- Englefield Rd, Oxley
- Gladstone Rd into Oxley Rd, Oxley
- Oxley Station Rd, Oxley
- Logan Ave, Oxley
- Oxley homemaker area under slip Rd
Sherwood
- Sherwood Rd/Muriel Ave underpass off Ipswich Rd
- Hall St, Sherwood
- Egmont St, Sherwood
- McCollough St, Sherwood
- Thomas St Park, Sherwood
- Oxley Creek Common
- Sherwood Arboretum
- Sherwood Rd west of the Markets
Yeronga
- Esplanade, Yeronga
- Hyde Rd/Fairfield Rd intersection
- Anita St, Yeronga
- Ormadale Rd, Yeronga
Rocklea
- Numerous Rds around the Showgrounds
- Marshall and Ipswich Rd Rocklea
- Muriel Avenue, Rocklea
- Sherwood Road, Rocklea
- Boundary Road, Rocklea
FLOOD WEATHER UPDATE
VIEW UPDATED UPDATED FLOOD MAPPING
Widespread rainfall across Brisbane LGA is still continuing. Over the last 24 hours an average rainfall total of 253mm fell across the Brisbane area.
Based on the latest advice from BOM, Brisbane is forecast to receive further rainfall today. As a result, continued flash flooding and creek flooding are expected considering the saturated catchments. The rain is expected to ease from this evening.
The Brisbane River peaked at 3.04m AHD at Brisbane City Gauge this morning (coinciding with the high tide; 08:05). A similar magnitude flood level peak is expected tomorrow morning at around the high tide (approximately 09:00 at City Gauge).
Please note that Seqwater has started releases from Wivenhoe Dam from 0400 this morning. The releases will take some time to travel downstream, so is not expected to coincide with the peak from the Bremer River and Lockyer Creek flooding.
Rainfall
Rainfall totals across Brisbane generally between 200mm and 300mm over the past 24 hours:
- Heaviest falls of 468mm occurred at Jude Street Reservoir, Bracken Ridge gauge over the past 24 hours.
Storm Tide/High Tide
There is currently a tidal anomaly of POSITIVE +400mm. BOM suspects this is due to a combination of onshore winds and flood flows. It is expected that this will persist until the current weather system moves away. This will likely result in peak tide levels of:
- 1.68m AHD (2.92m Port Datum) at Brisbane Bar on Monday, 28 February 2022, at 0758
- 1.76m AHD (3.00m Port Datum) at Brisbane Bar on Tuesday, 1 March 2022, at 0847
- 1.78m AHD (3.02m Port Datum) at Brisbane Bar on Wednesday, 2 March 2022, at 0930
- 1.75m AHD (2.99m Port Datum) at Brisbane Bar on Thursday, 3 March 2022, at 1011
The peak of the Brisbane River flood will coincide with the above high tides. This may further increase the peak high tide levels at the Brisbane Bar.
Energex
There are currently 9,735 customers affected by emergency outages in the Brisbane local government area. Locally this includes parts of Fairfield, Yeronga, Corinda and Oxley. Full details on Energex site here.
Traffic
The prolonged and widespread nature of the current rainfall event means any low lying areas and roads that regularly experience a degree of surface water pooling are highly likely to be impacted at this time.
Public Transport Services
Translink advise some services across the network are delayed or cancelled and to check the services update page for most up to date information.
- CityCats/KittyCats/Cross River Ferries – All services cancelled.
- There are disruptions to bus services due to roads being cut.
- There are major disruptions to rail services.
Water Supply
- Mt Crosby Water Plant has been impacted by sediment it is operating at significantly reduced capacity and UU are working to increase capacity over the coming days.
- UU have advised water is safe to drink and Brisbane water supply is not at risk.
SUNDAY 27.2.22 – 9am
Road Closures – note this is not an exhaustive list.
Corinda
- Pratten St, Corinda water over road
- Cliveden Ave, Corinda water over road
- Deniven St, Corinda water over road
Fairfield
- Fairfield Rd outside Fairfield Gardens water over road
Graceville
- Graceville Ave, Graceville water over road
- Pamphlett Bridge, Graceville some water across road at Bert St Clair Oval and large pothole after bridge crossing into Graceville
- Faulkner Park, Graceville flooding in park
- Long St E, Graceville water over road
Oxley
- Rocklea to Oxley Blunder Rd service Rd closed
- Ipswich Motorway exit 25 to Oxley water over road
- Oxley Rd, Oxley at golf course closed water over road
- Englefield Rd, Oxley water over road
- Gladstone Rd into Oxley Rd, Oxley water over road
- Oxley Station Rd, Oxley water over road
- Logan Ave, Oxley water over road
- Oxley homemaker area under slip Rd to Oxley closed.
Sherwood
- Sherwood Rd/Muriel Ave underpass off Ipswich Rd flooded and closed
- Hall St, Sherwood water over road
- Egmont St, Sherwood water over road
- Thomas St Park, Sherwood flooding
- Oxley Creek Common flooding
- Sherwood Arboretum flooding
- Sherwood Rd west of the Markets water over road
Yeronga
- Esplanade, Yeronga flooding
- Hyde Rd, Yeronga flooding
Rocklea
- Numerous Rds around the Showgrounds.
- Marshall and Ipswich Rd Rocklea closed
- Muriel Avenue, Rocklea closed
- Sherwood Road, Rocklea closed
- Boundary Road, Rocklea closed
SATURDAY 26.2.22
Hi everyone
As you know, Brisbane is experiencing a severe weather incident with over 300mm of rain falling overnight and another 150mm forecast for Sunday. Oxley Creek is experiencing a “minor to moderate” flood which is causing streets, parks and some houses to flood through Oxley, Corinda, Sherwood and Rocklea. Flooding will peak with the high tide later tonight at about 5:30/6pm. More localised and flash flooding is expected over the next day or so as the rain continues. Many roads are cut and on my travels this morning I saw idiots driving through flood waters near the Markets at Rocklea. If it’s flooded, forget it. I’ve seen dozens of flooded cars on local roads today.
A “minor” flood level is expected in the Brisbane River at the Brisbane City Gauge on Sunday. No height has been given at this stage but there is no indication from Council that this is a 2011 size flood.
Council has this morning finally activated its disaster coordination centre. I am also out and about checking on known flooding hotspots. If you need urgent help call the SES on 132 500 or Police on 000. More details for assistance, especially if you see a pothole — they are everywhere — are below. In particular, be careful near Bert St Clair Oval on Graceville Ave heading westbound — there’s a tyre killer there.
If you need to contact me please email me tennyson.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au or post on my facebook page.
Stay home if you can, check on your neighbours, and stay safe. There will be a big clean up ahead so don’t hesitate to contact me over the next few days. Our community is resilient and we have been through much worse so I know we will pull together and get through this severe weather incident over coming days.
Regards, Nicole.
Emergency Contacts
Police 000 (emergencies)
SES 132 500
QUU 132 364
Energex 13 19 62 (emergency) 13 62 62 (loss of supply)
BCC 3403 8888
Translink 131 230
Severe weather has affected bus and rail services. 598 and 599 bus services have been suspended. Check the Translink website here for updates.
CityCat services have been suspended until further notice.
Road Closures
Corinda
- Pratten St, Corinda water over road
- Cliveden Ave, Corinda water over road
- Deniven St, Corinda water over road
Fairfield
- Fairfield Rd outside Fairfield Gardens water over road
Graceville
- Pamphlett Bridge, Graceville some water across road at Bert St Clair Oval and large pothole after bridge crossing into Graceville
- Faulkner Park, Graceville flooding in park
- Long St E, Graceville water over road
Oxley
- Rocklea to Oxley Blunder Rd service Rd closed
- Ipswich Motorway exit 25 to Oxley water over road
- Oxley Rd, Oxley at golf course closed water over road
- Englefield Rd, Oxley water over road
- Gladstone Rd into Oxley Rd, Oxley water over road
- Oxley Station Rd, Oxley water over road
- Logan Ave, Oxley water over road
- Oxley homemaker area under slip Rd to Oxley closed.
Sherwood
- Sherwood Rd/Muriel Ave underpass off Ipswich Rd flooded and closed
- Hall St, Sherwood water over road
- Egmont St, Sherwood water over road
- Thomas St Park, Sherwood flooding
- Oxley Creek Common some flooding
- Sherwood Arboretum some flooding
- Sherwood Rd west of the Markets water over road
Yeronga
- Esplanade, Yeronga some flooding
Rocklea
- Numerous Rds around the Showgrounds.
- Marshall and Ipswich Rd Rocklea closed
- Muriel Avenue, Rocklea closed
- Sherwood Road, Rocklea closed
- Boundary Road, Rocklea closed
Flood Weather Update
Based on the latest advice from BoM, we are expecting rainfall to continue into late Saturday and possibly through to Sunday evening, with up to 150mm possible.
The Brisbane River catchment has seen significant rainfall totals of 200-300mm in the past 24hrs, and more falls are forecast for the next 48 hours.
The Brisbane River peak will align in time with high tide on Sunday (7am). It is likely the high tide on Monday (8am) will be a similar level.
This evening’s high tide is expected to be close to this morning’s high tide level or potentially a little higher depending on flows in the river at the time. The high tide is expected for approximately 6pm and minimal impacts are currently anticipated. There is a significant tidal anomaly present at the moment. BoM suspects this is due to a combination of onshore winds and flows. Expect that this will persist until Monday when the weather system is expected to move away.
Flood Information Centre
- Over the last 24 hours an average rainfall total of 251mm fell across the Brisbane area. Over the last 6 hours and average of 40mm has fallen across Brisbane.
- No releases from Wivenhoe Dam are currently occurring, however releases may commence this evening if heavy rainfall persists.
- A combination of Wivenhoe releases, Bremer River and Lockyer Creek flood peaks will likely result in Moderate Flood levels (2.6m AHD) at the Brisbane City Gauge.
- The Brisbane River peak will be timed with high tide on Sunday (7am). It’s likely the high tide on Monday (8am) will be a similar level.
- It is not currently recommended to close any Backflow Devices at this stage due to significant local catchment runoff. This decision will be reviewed after the next BoM weather update at 21:00 tonight.
- Seqwater Ungated Dams within BCC are currently spilling and discharges are steady.
- BCC Managed Dams (Gordon Road Detention Basin and Forest Lake Dam) are not at risk of causing downstream impacts at this time.
Seqwater
- Wivenhoe Dams gates are closed.
- I am advised that there is still significant flood capacity in Wivenhoe Dam.
- Any Wivenhoe releases are going to be targeting to 3500-4000 cumecs (liters per second) at Moggill. However, more heavy rainfall in upper dam catchments may push that flow target higher. If this occurs, it may be possible that dam releases may commence sometime today.
Brisbane River flow estimates:
- Moggill is estimated to be at 3000 cumecs (liters per second)
- Lockyer Creek is estimated to be at 3500 cumecs(liters per second)
- Bremer river is estimated to be 1500 cumecs (liters per second)
- The Bremer River should peak first, followed by Lockyer Creek. Wivenhoe releases may avoid the peaks but will overlap the overall flood wave.
- Potential for 5000 cumecs (liters per second) in the Brisbane River at Moggill.