Bundaberg Regional Council is advising residents in Bundaberg North, East, South and Central that it is not safe to return to their homes due to major flooding and damage to the area.
The Bureau of Meteorology this morning advised that the Burnett River at Bundaberg was likely to peak near 7.60 metres this morning, with major flooding. The Bureau further stated the river may fall below the major flood level (7.00 metres) from this afternoon.
The Council has warned that while flood water may start to go down in coming hours, it is still dangerous due to the potential impacts to infrastructure, including electrical hazards.
“Rapid assessments will be undertaken to determine if there has been significant flood damage to infrastructure and identify any dangerous hazards within the area,” Council said in a statement.
“Be aware of fallen powerlines, trees and other hazards.
“If power points, electrical equipment, appliances or electrical hot water systems have been exposed to water or are water damaged in any way, they must be inspected by a qualified electrician before use.”
Authorities are closely monitoring the outgoing flow and tidal influence.
The floodwaters are expected to descend to minor levels during Friday and assessments will be required before bridges, roads, electrical connections and critical infrastructure can be safely reopened and residents can return.
Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chair and Bundaberg Mayor, Helen Blackburn said emergency crews had worked through the night and thanked the community for following safety advice.
She said the focus would now turn to supporting impacted residents and assessing damage as floodwaters begin to recede over the coming days.
“Crews remain active across the region assisting residents and responding to requests for help,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“Several hundred properties are within the projected flood extent and formal impact assessments will commence today.
“This includes planning around when the Burnett River and Tallon bridges can reopen so those impacted can access their homes.
“Our thoughts are with the residents and businesses affected and we will work with emergency services and support agencies to assist the community through the recovery process.”
Mayor Blackburn said evacuation arrangements remained in place for residents who were unable to stay safely in their homes.
“There are currently 197 people sheltering at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct evacuation centre, where they are being supported by Council staff and partner agencies,” she said.
“We encourage anyone who feels unsafe or needs assistance to make their way to the evacuation centre where support is available.”
Emergency services have responded to more than 60 SES requests for assistance since 6pm last night, with most calls relating to sandbagging and tarp installations.
Mayor Blackburn urged residents to continue monitoring official updates and avoid floodwaters.
“Even though the river is hovering around its peak, floodwaters remain dangerous,” she said.
“If it’s flooded, forget it. Do not attempt to drive, ride or walk through floodwaters.
“Conditions can change quickly and unseen hazards may be present beneath the water.”
Residents are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest information via the Bundaberg Disaster Dashboard, which provides real‑time updates on road closures, warnings and emergency information.
