Hundreds of Homes Inundated as 7.6 Metre Floods Swamp Bundaberg

BUNDABERG, Australia—As water levels in the Burnett River peaked at close to 7.6 metres in the central Queensland city of Bundaberg on March 11 morning, preparation swiftly switched to recovery.

Widespread flooding inundated parts of the region in the first major flood since the 9.53 metre floodwaters in 2013.

Flooding impacted key areas including the CBD’s main shopping mall, Hinkler Central, a Mitre 10 Hardware store, and a number of other shops and organisations—filling the air with a pungent smell under the hot sun.

At the city’s evacuation centre, the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, locals, newcomers and backpackers alike gathered with their belongings including an occasional pet chicken or parrot as they waited out the region’s third major flood since 2010.

Many residents spoke to The Epoch Times, concerned about losing possessions in their homes, and worried about how long it may be before they can return home.

Speaking in Bundaberg, LNP Premier David Crisafulli, who arrived in town on March 10, said the flood recovery process would move bit by bit.

“It’s just important that we flick the switch from response to recovery and that will happen at different points at different times across the state as a large part of the state got affected,” he told The Epoch Times.

“I saw how strong this community was in 2013 and they’re proving it again.

“And to everyone out there, thanks for what you do. Neighbours helping neighbours, emergency services … it’s been humbling to see. We live in a great state.”

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told The Epoch Times that 197 people had moved to the city’s evacuation centre and so far the community was largely doing the right thing.

“We’re really happy that there’s only been a couple of recues which means people are staying off the roads and people are heeding the caution of this flood event,” she said.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, widespread major flooding was caused by heavy rainfall over the Burnett River catchment in recent days, compounded by a tropical low in the north.

Some areas in the Bundaberg region recorded as much as 200 millimetres of rain, while falls of up to 300 millimetres were recorded over some parts of the catchment area.

According to the Bureau’s latest update, Bundaberg’s flood level may start falling below the “major” category later on March 11.

A second peak, moving along the upper Burnett River downstream of the rural town of Eidsvold, could cause renewed rises inland at Mundubbera and Gayndah.

“The situation is being monitored closely and this warning will be updated as required,” the Bureau said in a statement.

Police Issue Warning

In a statement, police warned locals not to walk through or near roads that had been closed due to floodwaters around Bundaberg North.

Bundaberg North often experiences some of the most severe flooding in the region, and officers say as the waters recedes there could be drains, objects and strong currents that could become a danger.

“Police are also urging parents and carers to supervise children closely and ensure they stay away from overflowing creeks, drains and floodwater,” Queensland Police said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.

“Multiple roads remain closed across the region.”

Around 400 homes are expected to be impacted.

Water rescue crews, including additional emergency workers and more than 30 police, have also been stationed in town.

Further north, the Northern Territory has also been battered by flooding, with hundreds of people living in shelters as crocodiles are spotted in flood waters.

Community Member Starts Clean-Up Effort Early

Matthew Brennan wasted no time getting into the clean-up effort, heading out to the Bundaberg CBD to get started even as water levels rose.

Gathering numerous items from car tyres, wooden pallets and bicycle wheels, the local community volunteer donned his cap and boots and got busy.

In one especially touching gesture, Brennan said a community member brought him some food and drink as he toughed it out in the humid 29-degree Celsius heat.

Brennan usually volunteers three to four days a month to help clean the Burnett River with the a group called Ocean Crusaders.

“I’m just cleaning up the Burnett River,” he told The Epoch Times.

“Thankfully I’ve only found one needle.

“There’s lots of tyres, there’s lots of timber, lots of cans.”

Brennan said any money made by cashing in cans for the 10 cent return would go back towards his river cleaning group.

“I just don’t like litter,” he said, before getting back to work.

Flooding is expected to continue in Bundaberg for days before eventually fully receding.