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Bureau Says Queensland In For A Weekend Of Heavy Rain, Storms

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Bureau Says Queensland In For A Weekend Of Heavy Rain, Storms

A deep trough is forecast to move across southern and central Queensland from late Friday, generating widespread moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the weekend before moving off the southeast coast late Sunday.

Acting Queensland Regional Director, Richard Wardle, said with catchments already wet from recent rainfall we’re likely to see localised flash flooding and river and stream rises.

“Rainfall and gusty storms are expected throughout the weekend. These storms may be severe, particularly close to the trough, and we urge the public to stay tuned for warnings and local media updates over the weekend.

“While there is the potential for another East Coast Low to develop off the NSW coast as the system moves further south, this will not have an impact on Queensland.

“The impacts of coastal erosion are unlikely to be as significant as early June, due to generally lower tides and swells,” said Dr Wardle.

Widespread rainfall is expected for western and central parts of the state with the passage of the trough on Saturday. Rainfall should then extend across the southern central, southeast and coastal regions as far north as Townsville on Sunday. Isolated falls in excess of 100mm are possible with thunderstorms.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers, Cooper Creek, Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Balonne, Moonie and Border Rivers. Members of the public are urged to stay tuned for specific Warnings and follow the advice of local emergency services.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said QFES was prepared and ready to respond, and urged Queenslanders to prepare too.

“Before the predicted heavy rain arrives, clear gutters and trim any overhanging branches. Take the time now to consider if you really need to be on the roads this weekend. If you do, make sure you have a Plan B in place, including identifying alternative routes. Flooded roads are dangerous and unpredictable, and the message is simple: if it’s flooded, forget it,” said Mr Wassing.

Residents who require storm and flood assistance should contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000). For more information on floodwater safety visit www.qld.gov.au/floodwatersafety

The Bureau is now using Twitter to disseminate significant weather information for the community. Follow us @BOM_QLD. The Bureau’s website remains the most up-to-date and comprehensive official source of information.

Issued: Friday, 17 June 2016

Asbestos Disease Support Visiting Toowoomba

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Too many people in regional areas like Toowoomba are living with asbestos-related diseases in isolation and with feelings of neglect because they have been unable to access or are unaware of support options available to them.

The Asbestos Diseases Support Society (ADSS) is reaching out to regional Queenslanders who suffer from diseases they have contracted from working with or otherwise handling asbestos. They also want to meet their carers, families and friends. As part of a state-wide drive to let regional sufferers know they are not alone, a team of ADSS specialists will be in Toowoomba ont Tuesday, June 21st to meet with affected locals and set up a support network within the community. ADSS Chief Executive Officer Amanda Richards said it was important to let people affected by asbestos diseases to know there were other people living in their own communities who were going through the same issues.

“There is a general feeling among people who have repository disease arising from asbestos that they are isolated and alone,” she said. “They don’t know that there are others in their community who are going through or have been through the exact experiences they are dealing with. They could be fellow sufferers, the spouses of sufferers or people who have helped others who have had the disease. We want to bring them together. We want to let them know they are not alone.”

She said ADSS had about 150 people in the Toowoomba region on its database, but support staff believed there were many more on the Darling Downs who could use the support and friendship of others.

ADSS will be hosting a public morning tea at the Toowoomba Golf Club between 10am and 11.30amon Tuesday, June 21st. A team of support staff, including a social worker and a lawyer with asbestos- related diseases experience, will be at the morning tea to advise sufferers and help people navigate government and other support services.

Sufferers, carers, families, friends or anyone with an interest in helping people live with asbestos diseases are welcome to attend. To RSVP or for more information, call ADSS on 1800 776 412.

Fashions On The Downs For Variety Children’s Charity

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Nikea Coulson is a flight attendant and is an entrant for the Miss World Australia Pageant.
She was raised in Goondiwindi and moved to Toowoomba in 2010 to study at USQ and has called Toowoomba home ever since.  Nikea was the Toowoomba Show Girl 2014 and is the current Miss Rodeo Australia runner up for 2016.
Nikea is one of the Charity ambassadors for the Miss World Australia and will be holding a fundraiser called “Fashions on the Downs” on the 25th of June in Toowoomba to raise funds for the Variety Children’s Charity.
fashions-on-the-downs
Submitted by:
Kim Boland

New England Highway Realignment

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New England Highway Realignment

The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is a 41 km bypass which runs to the North of Toowoomba from the New England Highway and the Warrego Highway to the Gore Highway via Charlton. The project is one of Queensland’s highest priority road infrastructure projects.
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New England Highway realignment, June 2016
As part of constructing the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC), the New England Highway at Mount Kynoch will be realigned.

The realignment will minimise impacts to motorists on the New England Highway as it will allow two lanes of traffic to remain open in both directions during construction.  Nexus is committed to minimising impacts on local residents during these works.

To view a copy of the construction notification please click here.

 

QFES Reminder And Thanks

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QFES Reminder And Thanks

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is urging residents and travellers in south-east Queensland to remain vigilant following heavy rainfall across the region.

While the worst of the weather has passed for most of the south-east, QFES Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche said people should be wary of damaged and flooded  roads .

Mr Roche said motorists should check the status of roads before heading out and steer clear of floodwater. “Yesterday’s weather event has left behind a lot of debris and roads cut off by water,” Mr Roche said.

“Emergency services are responding to calls for assistance, but residents and travellers still need to take precautions to stay safe.

“Now is not the time to be venturing outdoors unnecessarily and we are urging people to keep away from flooded creeks and drains and have alternative routes in mind.  “Parents and caregivers still need to supervise children to ensure they stay away from drains. Water is still receding, so the danger is still there.”

Mr Roche said the State Emergency Service (SES) had responded to almost 1,000 calls for assistance and swiftwater rescue teams had been deployed to a small number of incidents across the Brisbane area.  “Most of the tasks emergency services attended were not quick jobs, so I would like to thank people for their patience,” he said.

“Please remember the SES is made up of volunteers dedicated to helping others and we’re working hard to get to the most vulnerable members of the community first. “I would like to thank all Queenslanders who heeded the warnings and those motorists who avoided travel through floodwaters. Remember: if it’s Flooded, Forget it.”

Residents who require storm and flood emergency assistance should contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero.

Emergency Services Respond As Severe Weather Hits Qld Coast

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Emergency Services Respond As Severe Weather Hits Qld Coast

South-east Queenslanders are encouraged to be vigilant and avoid travel today, as severe weather impacts the region.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding across parts of the state. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche said QFES was prepared and ready to aid the community when needed.

“Overnight State Emergency Services (SES) crews responded to more than 200 call-outs for jobs including sandbagging and assisting with damage to properties,” Mr Roche said. “We encourage Queenslanders to stay indoors, but if you need to travel before you set out it’s vital to have a Plan B in place, including identifying alternative routes.

“Flooded roads are always dangerous and unpredictable, so it’s important for motorists to stay off roadways covered by water. The message is simple: if it’s flooded, forget it. The size of your car and driving ability will not affect the threat posed by floodwaters.”

“Your safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure you and your loved ones are safe during wet weather. The easiest way to do this is to stay out of flooded areas. Parents must supervise their children closely and ensure they stay away from drains, culverts and any flowing water.”

Residents who require storm and flood assistance should contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.

In a life-threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000). For updated information monitor the BoM website at www.bom.gov.au and for further information on floodwater safety visit www.qld.gov.au/floodwatersafety

Weekend Weather Warnings Bring About Cancellations

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Weekend Weather Warnings Bring About Cancellations

Drew and the Margaret Street Markets Management Team have been keeping a close eye on the weather for this weekend and especially market day Sunday 5th June. A team decision has been made to cancel the markets due to the wet and windy weather forecast over the weekend. keeping in mind the safety of the public, the stallholders, their marquees and products.

Our request is to anyone that has pre-paid their stall for this Sunday, to please contact us by email to let us know if you would like to carry over your site fee to the next Market on Sunday 3rd July in Margaret Street or if you require a refund.

Meanwhile, organisers of Toowoomba Civic Square Queensland Day Celebrations on Sunday 5th June regretfully advise the event has been cancelled. The weekend forecast for wild weather has prompted organisers to abandon the outdoor activities in front of the Toowoomba City Library.

Hopefully, widespread rain will provide some relief for primary producers.

However, there are  still plenty of reasons to celebrate living in Queensland. Wear your maroon with pride on Monday 6th June which is the official Queensland Day.

Also, the Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ Fun Day which was to  be held at Lillyvale Oval in Meringandan West on Sunday 5th June has been cancelled as well.

 

Legendary Street Artist Guido van Helten Completes Mural In Stanthorpe

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The Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, in partnership with First Coat Toowoomba, are proud to present a dynamic public artwork by Brisbane street artist Guido van Helten.

The work was completed over three days last weekend as part of the 2016 First Coat Arts and Music festival in Toowoomba. This year, the festival has expanded to ‘satellite murals’ and Stanthorpe was honoured to be included.
Guido van Helten Stanthorpe Mural
The mural depicts Angelo Valiante who turns 100 in November of this year. Mr Valiante was one of the first Italians to settle in Stanthorpe and the work pays homage to the Italian community that have made the region what it is today. After World War 1 soldier settlements were established to the north of the town and during and after World War 11 a considerable number of Italian POWs and migrants settled in the Granite Belt. Of the town’s 15 per cent non-Australian born population 65 per cent are Italian.

Mr Valiante looks out reflectively to the main street of Stanthorpe with hope in his eyes †and an optimism for the future of the region and what the next 100 years will bring. Well known to the people of Stanthorpe, Angelo is a shining example of a long and happy life. His enthusiasm for family and friends is one of his best assets and when asked of the secret to a long life he laughs and responds with ‘hard work!’

The mural has already captured the hearts of the people of Stanthorpe with many people enduring the cold over the weekend to come down and watch Guido complete the work. The piece has also gained a following on social media with hundreds of people liking and sharing the image.

Stanthorpe Art Gallery Director Nicola Holly is delighted with the outcome. “It was brilliant having someone of Guido’s considerable talent come and spend time in our region,” she said. “He took his time completing the work and the emotion and passion that Angelo has for his town comes across in the dynamic details of his eyes.”

Ms Holly wants to continue placing public works of art around the town. “Murals are the best way to uplift an area, every time I drive past a wall I think of the possibilities that it has for street art. The goal is to have 8 †10 substantial murals in the region which will make for an arts trail for our visitors and locals alike.”

Follow SRAG: https://www.facebook.com/stanthorpeartgallery/

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