Sewage expected to overflow into flood water, Queensland water authority warns
Look, this is both gross and important. In QLD the Seqwater authority is warning that sewage is expected to overflow into some flood water:
We’re experiencing wastewater overflows and releases from some of our wastewater infrastructure due to a range of reasons including increased flows from wet weather, power outages or critical components of pump stations having been removed as part of preparation works.
We’re reminding people to avoid contact with flood water and local waterways following wet weather. During wet weather events, waterways can be impacted by a range of sources including diluted wastewater, debris, animal waste and stormwater run-off.
Drinking water remains safe.
You can find more info here: https://www.urbanutilities.com.au/faults-and-interruptions/incidents
Key events
The mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate, spoke to media a short time ago.
He said while the rain has started to ease, it’s still very dangerous outside, on the foreshore especially. People should stay away from the floodwater and the waterways generally. There are 20 sunken boats in the Broadwater.
The SES has picked up 2600 jobs, with 1500 outstanding.
Tate said:
Even though the rain is subsiding, there is still a tremendous amount of water coming through for isolated flash flooding to occur, so don’t take your chances, take a longer route home. We have teams ready on the beach, as I said, so there will be signage out there, and just take notice of that signage.
For those wondering what to do with their sandbags once they have no further use for them, Tate said:
Empty the sand, if you can, in your garden, and put the bags in your bin, and that’s probably the best way to take it away.
Some good news was that water quality is still good, Tate said, with the sewage system holding up and the mains water still very drinkable.
Reports have emerged this afternoon that NSW Police have raided properties across Sydney today, investigating possible organised crime links to the Dural caravan.
That’s the caravan found in January on the outskirts of north-west Sydney, laden with explosives. Here’s some background on that one, if you need a refresher:
We’re expecting a press conference on this issue from NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police within the hour. I’ll bring you all those details when it gets under way.
Cait Kelly
Righto, with that I am off. Thank you so much for spending the morning with me on the blog.
I am going to hand over to formidable Stephanie Convery who will take you through the afternoon. Stay safe and dry please!
Flooding in Brisbane suburbs in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred:
Keen blog readers will remember NSW Premier Chris Minns got a little bit short with a reporter this morning, after he was asked a series of questions about evacuation centres closing.
We have the video here now if you want to take a look:
From AAP:
Star Entertainment Group is reviewing a recapitalisation offer from a US casino giant that could save it from going into administration.
Bally’s Corporation has proposed a last-minute $250 million recapitalisation plan in exchange for at least a 50.1% stake in the casino operator.
Star’s board will review the proposal, after receiving the offer in a letter from Bally’s.
Star’s shares have been in a trading halt for more than a week, after it was unable to sign-off on a financial report as spiralling debts of more than $400 million had the company facing potential insolvency.
Joe Hinchliffe
Some residents in inner-city Brisbane River suburbs cut off by flooding and fallen trees
There’s nothing like torrential rain to serve as a reminder to the people of the Brisbane River suburbs of New Farm, Newstead and Teneriffe that they live on a peninsula in a river prone to flooding.
Getting in and out of the leafy inner-city suburbs has been fraught over the last few days – for some, it has proved impossible.
On Sunday, people awoke to find a number of large trees down and completely cutting off roads out – including one of the few main roads out of the densely populated peninsula.
Council crews have worked quickly with chainsaw and heavy machinery to remove many of those trees, while others that have fallen in parks or have otherwise not blocked transport are on the to-do-list.
On Monday, flooded roads at the area’s edge prevented some from getting out to work and other destinations. The peninsula itself, however, does not appear to have suffered much flood damage as the river has not broken its banks, and does not have the creek systems prone to flash flooding being experienced in other parts of the city.
WA election results leave Liberals contemplating future of leadership
From AAP:
The WA Liberals will consider the future of their leadership and how to pick up the pieces after a second consecutive electoral disaster delivered another resounding victory to Labor.
Latest counting in Saturday’s poll shows Labor has won 41 seats, the Liberals five and the Nationals four, according to ABC News.
Results in nine seats remain in doubt.
The Liberals are left without any real hope of building momentum towards victory at the next election, creating the prospect of another eight years in the political wilderness.
Liberal leader Libby Mettam said on Sunday that she would leave it to the parliamentary party to decide the leadership and she did not indicate if she would seek to continue in the role.
Former TV presenter and lord mayor of Perth Basil Zempilas is being widely touted as her likely successor, after he narrowly secured the seat of Churchlands from sitting Labor MP Christine Tonkin.
While we are talking about rainfall – my colleagues Nick Evershed and Josh Nicholas had this great story showing the total rainfall at weather stations over the past seven days and the areas at risk of flooding.
You can check it out here:
Brisbane records wettest day in 51 years
Weatherzone is reporting Brisbane has had its wettest day in 51 years.
A huge total of 275.2mm accumulated in the gauge in the 24 hours to 9am Monday, making it Brisbane’s wettest 24-hour period since 314mm fell in the 24 hours to 9am on 26 January 1974 – the year of the devastating Brisbane River floods in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Wanda.
In a statement, Weatherzone said:
The good news for sodden Brisbane locals is that heavy rain is expected to ease this afternoon, with showers on the cards for the rest of the week rather than persistent rain.
But the immediate situation remains extremely serious across significant parts of southeast Queensland and northeast NSW. Numerous flood warnings are in place, as well as multiple emergency warnings from NSW and Qld authorities.
Sewage expected to overflow into flood water, Queensland water authority warns
Look, this is both gross and important. In QLD the Seqwater authority is warning that sewage is expected to overflow into some flood water:
We’re experiencing wastewater overflows and releases from some of our wastewater infrastructure due to a range of reasons including increased flows from wet weather, power outages or critical components of pump stations having been removed as part of preparation works.
We’re reminding people to avoid contact with flood water and local waterways following wet weather. During wet weather events, waterways can be impacted by a range of sources including diluted wastewater, debris, animal waste and stormwater run-off.
Drinking water remains safe.
You can find more info here: https://www.urbanutilities.com.au/faults-and-interruptions/incidents
PM spruiks tax cuts when asked about budget
And we are back on the budget … again. For those tuning into the news cycle now, the budget is going ahead.
People can expect a budget on March 25, which is what we’ve been planning. And the expenditure Review Committee concluded all of our portfolio budget submissions a couple of weeks ago now, and my government has consistently provided cost-of-living support.
We provided a tax cut for every single Australian taxpayer. We provided energy bill relief, cheaper childcare, free TAFE, cheaper medicines.
PM says he has been giving support in wake of ex-cyclone ‘in a totally non-political way’
And the PM is taking questions now. He has been asked about the comments Peter Dutton made saying he was not at a party but a fundraiser before the cyclone hit.
I haven’t seen those comments from Mr Dutton. I haven’t seen any comments from Mr. Dutton for a while, but … I’ve been getting on with doing this job.
That’s what I’ve been doing, giving support to people in a totally non-political way. And I think it’s disappointing if, if there’s any suggestion otherwise, I made sure, before I came here, that I rang Kevin Hogan. Made sure he was aware, as the local federal member, the local state member here, and we’ve acted across the board.
Less than 10,000 houses still without power, NSW energy minister says
Penny Sharpe, the NSW energy minister, gives a brief update on the power situation in the state:
There [are] less than 10,000 houses that are without power. Now, 10,000 is still a lot, and for those that are impacted, we understand, and we’re moving as quickly as possible. But that’s down from 43,000 in a very short period of time. For those communities and people that are very isolated, it will take longer. But understand that Essential Energy is working day and night to put crews in place to get you up and running as soon as possible.
‘We’re not out of the woods’, SES commissioner says
Wassing reminds people that it’s not over yet:
We’re not out of the woods. We still have many isolated communities, many communities who are still at risk with heavy rainfall. It’s really important that again – for the Mid North Coast right up to the north-east – that people are watching the Hazards Near Me app, continue to work with the emergency services.
Unfortunately people are still walking into and driving into flood waters. I understand the appetite to check on your home and get home, but in some cases that’s not yet safe to do so, and in other areas it’s safe to do so. The key message is please keep in touch with us, work with us, as you have done, and we’ll all get home safely including our emergency services personnel.
Last evacuation order lifted for North Lismore area, NSW SES commissioner says
The NSW SES commissioner Michael Wassing has taken the mic at the PM’s press conference in Lismore. He says the last evacuation order has been lifted for the North Lismore area.
He reminds the public that the roads are still slippery, many still have access issues or water over them, and there’s debris still around from the storms. He encourages people, when they get home, to check their homes for damage and call for assistance if they need it.
