Central Darling Shire Council is advising residents in the Wilcannia, Tilpa and Menindee areas to prepare for flooding as Queensland flood waters move downstream and across the region’s floodplains.
“It is too early for details about what to expect. However, we could see situations including isolations and impacts on primary producers,” the Council said in a statement.
The Council’s focus includes the Paroo and Barwon-Darling River systems and Menindee Lakes.
“We are waiting for information to become available about the timelines, expected volume of floodwater and river peaks.”
“Making the situation challenging is that there are no gauges, for early warning information, on the Paroo River in the Shire. Gauges provide valuable information to assist with forecasting and predicting what to expect when the floodwaters reach the Darling system.
“However, Council understands that one gauge is to be reactivated on the Paroo and investigations are underway for two others, and this is a welcome move.”
The Central Darling Shire Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) is operational and holding combined meetings with the Unincorporated area. The CDSC LEMC is also attending SES briefings with northern Councils currently where flooding is occurring.
The Council says it is working with all agencies involved including the SES who are the lead combat agency.
The SES held an online Community Information session last night attended by landholders, community organisations and a number of Council staff.
“The online meeting included information from the Bureau of Meteorology. The meeting was told that based on current information between Walgett and Wilcannia it is likely to see peaks later in April and into May,” the Council says.
“Potential river heights are uncertain at this stage. The Peak at Menindee will most likely be in late May or early June. It was noted that flows from the Paroo do not make it to the Darling in most events. It is good to hear that there are plans to hold further community briefings as more information becomes available.”
The Council says Wilcannia is likely to be the first area affected by the floodwaters.
“Council has welcomed confirmation from the SES, at last night’s community meeting, that there will be a presence and base of operations in Wilcannia. As part of the flood preparations Council is working with the SES to organise infrastructure inspections of levy banks.”
To support the agriculture sector, an Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) has been established, with an officer working in the SES Incident Management Team.
Work is also underway to ensure Central Darling has early access to funding support under the Natural Disaster Declaration Funding Assistance program to assist communities as quickly as possible if required, the Council confirmed.
