LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP UPDATE

Re: ADVICE NO. 7

Date: 3pm 15 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 warnings 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 in the catchments in the past few days. There is a medium chance of showers and a possible thunderstorm forecast for the middle of this week.

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. 

Further south there maybe impacts between Thallon and Mungindi and into NSW and the peak through Talwood has now passed through on the border river systems.

MOONIE RIVER SYSTEM

The Moonie River at Nindigully is currently at 2.50 metres and steady, with minor flooding. 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 Tuesday into Wednesday, with minor flooding.

The Moonie River at Thallon Bridge is currently at 3.46 metres and falling, 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 Thursday with the arrival of upstream floodwaters.

BALONNE RIVER SYSTEM

Minor flooding is occurring along the Lower Balonne River. Moderate flooding is occurring along the Balonne River Minor and may occur along the Bokhara River. Major flooding has eased at Whyenbah.

There are no current observations at the St George manual gauge, however, based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is currently estimated 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) during Monday and into Tuesday.

The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is currently peaking around 4.50 metres, above the moderate flood level (4.30 m). The Balonne River Minor at Dirranbandi is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (4.30 m) during Monday and into Tuesday.

The Bokhara River at Hebel is currently at 0.90 metres and rising slowly, below the minor flood level (1.00 m). The Bokhara River at Hebel may exceed the minor flood level (1.00 m) during Wednesday. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (1.50 m) late this week.

BARWON RIVER SYSTEM

The Barwon River at Mungindi is currently at 6.68 metres and rising, with minor flooding. The Barwon River at Mungindi is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (6.70 m) Monday afternoon. The river level may reach around 6.80 metres during Tuesday with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible later this week as upstream floodwaters 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. It is anticipated that this will remain closed for at least the rest of the week.

- 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.

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