Fitzroy Flood Facts – Your questions answered – Click HERE
Capricorn Enterprise is urging residents, visitors and the media to stay informed through official channels, as minor to moderate flooding is expected along the Fitzroy (Tunuba) River system, with local disaster management groups across the Capricorn Coast region actively monitoring the current weather event.
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said that while the Fitzroy River is well-known for natural flooding cycles, this does not mean Rockhampton floods as a city.
“As the Fitzroy (Tunuba) River is the second largest seaward flowing river catchment in the country after the Murray Darling, it is well used to flooding events over time, but this does not mean that the city of Rockhampton floods,” Mary said.
She said authorities have significant lead time due to the size and scale of the Fitzroy catchment.
“Because the five major river systems of the Dawson, Mackenzie, Isaac/Connors, Nogoa and Comet flow into the Fitzroy, officials know days ahead of the projected river height and potential effects on the river city, which is why the current prediction is minor to moderate flooding,” she said.
The Rockhampton Region Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) has activated its ‘Lean Forward’ phase in response to flood warnings for the Fitzroy River.
The Livingstone Shire (Capricorn Coast) Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) has escalated to the ‘Stand Up’ phase as conditions continue to be monitored across the region.
“Our Local Disaster Management Groups, chaired by the Mayors of Rockhampton Regional Council and Livingstone Shire Council, do an excellent job in ensuring these natural weather events are dealt with the respect they deserve to protect property and people. This is not our first rodeo,” Mary said.
Capricorn Enterprise also warned that sensationalised reporting can have significant economic consequences for local communities.
“Whenever a media outlet creates a clickbait sensationalist headline which can distort the facts, our local businesses suffer, not just in Rockhampton, but in Yeppoon and along the coast and islands,” Mary said.
“Showing old footage of previous floods is nothing short of irresponsible and downright wrong.”
We encourage media to exercise responsible and factual reporting.
Community safety reminders
Businesses and community members are encouraged to:
- Monitor official warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology
- Avoid driving through floodwaters
- Follow advice from emergency services
- Stay up to date via Council Disaster Dashboards:
- Livingstone Shire Disaster Dashboard: https://disaster.livingstone.qld.gov.au/
- Rockhampton Emergency Dashboard: https://emergency.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/
- For emergency assistance, contact SES on 132 500
- In life-threatening situations, call 000
Sand stockpiles available (precautionary measure)
Livingstone Shire Council has arranged sand stockpiles for community use at:
- Emu Park SES facility, 53 Hunter Street, Emu Park (walk-in only – park along Hunter Street)
- Cordingly Street Basketball Court, 35 Cordingly Street, Yeppoon
- The Station carpark, Normanby Street access, Yeppoon
Rockhampton Regional Council has arranged sand stockpiles for community use at:
- Stapleton Park (Bridge St, Berserker)
- McLeod Park (Dean St, Berserker)
- Gate 8, Rockhampton Showgrounds (Lion Creek Rd & New Exhibition Rd, Wandal)
Business support resources
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has published the latest crisis support resources for disaster-affected communities, including guidance for operators managing disruptions, cancellations and communications. For the latest QTIC resources, visit: https://www.qtic.com.au/resources/
