LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT UPDATE

Re: ADVICE NO. 6

Date: 4pm 13 April 2024

This is an update from the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) for the Balonne Shire.  Travellers and residents are asked to prepare now, stay informed and monitor conditions and where possible avoid travelling into areas that will be most affected.

The LDMG is currently at Stand-up status and is continuing to monitor the flood warning across the Shire. There is currently flooding occurring in the Balonne River, Moonie River and Weir/Barwon River with peaks flowing down the rivers systems. 

No significant rainfall has been observed since Saturday morning. No significant rainfall is forecast for the next few days.

MOONIE HIGHWAY – It is anticipated that the Claude Bowhay bridge will not be inundated with flood water and will remain open.

CARNARVON HIGHWAY - It is anticipated that access between Nindigully and St George will remain open, however there may be impacts for access between Nindigully and Thallon in the coming days. 

MOONIE RIVER SYSTEM

The Moonie River at Nindigully is currently at 2.35 metres and steady, above the minor flood level. The Moonie River at Nindigully is likely to remain above the minor flood level (2.20 m) during the next few days as floodwaters continue to arrive from upstream. The river level may peak near 2.80 metres overnight Monday into Tuesday, with minor flooding.

The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is currently around a peak at 3.82 metres, just below the minor flood level (4.00 m). River levels are likely to remain elevated along the Moonie River at Thallon Bridge for the next few days. The river level may reach the minor flood level (4.00 m) from around Wednesday with the arrival of upstream floodwaters.

BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM

It is expected that the river level at St George peaked around 7.70 metres late Thursday, below the moderate flood level (8.00 metres). The river level is currently expected to be above the minor flood level (6.00 m) and falling slowly. The Balonne River at St George is likely to remain above the minor flood level (6.00 m) for the remainder of the weekend.

The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is currently at 4.38 metres and rising, above the moderate flood level (4.30 m). The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi may peak near 4.70 metres Sunday afternoon, with moderate flooding.

BARWON RIVER SYSTEM

The Barwon River at Mungindi is currently at 6.24 metres and rising, above the minor flood level (6.10 m). The Barwon River at Mungindi is likely to peak near 6.40 metres from Saturday evening, with minor flooding. The river level at Mungindi is likely to remain above the minor flood level (6.10 m) for the next few days. Further small rises are possible during next week as floodwaters from Queensland continue to arrive.

TRAVEL ALERTS

Local Roads that are currently impacted by flooding include:

Bollon-Dirranbandi Road, Dirranbandi - Closed

Dirranbandi Hebel Road – Closed

Mitchell-Bollon Road, Bollon - Closed

Talwood-Mungindi Road, Mungindi - Closed 

Lower Plains Road, Dirranbandi - Closed

Gunnindaddy Road Mungindi - Closed

Narline Road, Dirranbandi - Closed

Whyenbah Rd, St George, Dirranbandi – Closed

Ballangarry Road, Thallon – Closed

Cubbie Road, Dirranbandi – Closed

Kooroon Road, St George – Closed

Teelba Road, St George – Closed

Dalkeith Road, St George – Closed

Warrie Road, St George – Closed

Honeymah Lane, Dirranbandi – Closed

Mulga Downs Road, Bollon - Lanes affected, Proceed with caution

Ballangarry Road, Thallon - Lanes affected, Reduced speed limit (40km/h)

Littleton Road, St George - Lanes affected, Proceed with caution

Highways that are currently impacted by flooding include: 

- Castlereagh Highway, Hebel to Dirranbandi – Closed due to floodwater.

- Carnarvon Highway, St George – Mungindi – Lanes currently affected at St George and Thallon. We are monitoring over the next few days, as water may affect access in some causeways in low lying areas to the south of Nindigully.

- Moonie Highway – it is anticipated that Claude Bowhay will not be inundated by floodwater.

For more information on local road updates, visit the Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ 

Remember road conditions can change without notice.

GENERAL UPDATES

Residents can stay up to date by subscribing to the Emergency Dashboard. https://emergency.balonne.qld.gov.au/ for all the latest weather and road conditions. The dashboard includes links to www.bom.gov.au/qld and https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/.  Check Live Traffic NSW https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/live-traffic-nsw for road conditions into NSW. In an emergency dial 000 or SES on 132500.  For more information phone Council on (07) 4620 8888 - this includes after-hours service.

Councillor Samantha O’Toole

CHAIR - LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP