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Flood Scenes -2013

The Perfect Storm – Australia Day, 2013 – Burnett Catchment.

There is a lot of misinformation and confusion as to what we should use as a benchmark for Bundaberg’s regional flood zones. Our Council, BRC, in its’ wisdom, has chosen the 2013 flood as their benchmark (as seen on the flood inter-mapping website).

The truth of this event should come to light.

Why the perfect storm? Let me count the ways:

  1. There had been so many dry years (nearly 7), the council ignored the silt and dirt in the drains, did nothing about build -ups on road shoulders, and other areas where water can drain.
  2. Paradise Dam was completed in 2005, and was taking every drop of the Burnett River, with SUNWATER selling to the farmers. Downstream from the dam, the water virtually stopped flowing. Lungfish were nowhere to be seen.
  3. The Burnett, downstream from the dam became choked with water weeds, (mainly hyacinth and salvinia). By 2010, BRC were asking landowners with waterfront to contribute to the clearing of the weeds.
  4. Along came a high cyclone, managing to fly past the dividing range and dump its load right in the Burnett River catchment area. For the Burnett River – it was divine intervention.
  5. At the same time, it was a king tide. The PERFECT STORM!
  6. By the time this water flowed over the dam wall at Paradise and reached Bungadoo Breeze (20km downstream), it had enough power to wash the waterweeds right out of the river into the sea. Rows of yachts at the Port Bundaberg toppled over from the weight of the weeds.
  7. Meanwhile, every silted up creek, tributary, drain and road shoulder quickly flowed with water, gaining enough power to wash a few old houses (on stumps) in Nth Bundaberg down the road.
  8. The sheer volume of water, combined with a king tide and the neglectful Council at the time caused this flood!
  9. Let’s not forget that Paradise dam is now compromised, and SUNWATER will no longer hold every drop. They are in the habit of releasing water when required.

Here are some photographs as it was on Australia Day 2013 at Bungadoo Breeze. Our structures were high and dry, and we never made a claim on our insurance.