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Council Connections - 27 January 2021

25th January 2021

Good Old Fashion Wet Season, $2000 Half Yearly Rate Prize

Current forecasts reflect likelihood of increased monsoonal activity over the next few months as we experience what many in our community refer to as a good old fashioned wet season.

Flood Height Comparison Chart

It is important that we remain vigilant and well prepared for any threat that may arise. Ex Tropical Cyclone Kimi was a good example of just how quickly adverse weather systems can develop.

I have been approached by many people of recent, concerning the use of Ingham Pump Station river height gauges as official flood warning readings rather than the traditional reliance on Gairloch.

The flood warning reading was changed from Gairloch to Ingham Pump Station in 2014 to ensure timely and accurate reading for the residents of the Hinchinbrook Shire to prepare for a flooding event.

Historically the Gairloch meter was used as the official warning location as it was the nearest accessible manual flood alert station prior to the establishment of an automated network of flood alert stations approximately 20 years ago.

The construction of levees in the Lower Herbert over many years was proven to impact on the accuracy and sensitivity of the Gairloch gauge to the extent that Gairloch no longer was deemed an accurate prediction level to allow enough lead time for residents to prepare.

The Ingham Pump Station was deemed a better site for timely and accurate predictions of flood effects in the town as the river is largely contained within the banks of the river until the commencement of significant flooding. There is much more sensitivity to changes in gauge height at this location.

I encourage residents to use Council’s flood height comparison charts to see what levels will affect them and the action they need to take.

However, you are still able to access Gairloch river heights through the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) “River and Rainfall” data or via Council’s Disaster Dashboard river heights display.

Additionally, the BOM are accustomed to providing a short narrative on the flood warnings issued periodically throughout the duration of an event.

For instance, the Flood Warning for Herbert River Catchment issued Tuesday 12 January 2021 at 5.00pm stated ‘The Herbert River at Gairloch is currently at 9.59m and steady with minor flooding. The Herbert River at Gairloch is expected to…..”

If you need assistance in finding these pages, please contact Council’s Disaster Management Officer on 4776 4746, who will gladly assist.

For some people whom do not have a smart phone or access to digital data, this information may be obtained by phoning 1300 659 210.

Emergency Alerts!

Another issue that has arisen in the past and which requires clarification is the use of Emergency Alerts.

Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system used by Emergency Services to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones within a defined area about actual or likely emergencies.

The Hinchinbrook Local Disaster Management Group (HLDMG) sent out an emergency alert regarding major flooding during the 2018 event. Unfortunately, a significant number of people in our community did not receive the message as they were not aware of the system and disregarded the call or text believing same to be nuisance callers or marketers. The reason many people did this was because they did not recognise the number – 0444 444 444.

So, for the future, if your screen comes up with 0444 444 444, do not disregard, answer or open it as the Emergency Services is trying to get a message to you.

$2,000 Half Yearly Rate Prize

Rate notices for the second half of the year have been issued. Those ratepayers that have opted to go paperless will have received their notice via email and Australia Post will deliver paper copies shortly.

Council will again be drawing the Half Yearly Rate Prize of $2,000 to be spent in up to five (5) local businesses. To be in the draw, all you have to do is pay your rates by the due date of 31 March 2021.

Council encourages anyone experiencing financial hardship to contact the Rates office immediately to seek information on available assistance programs.

Need to print the Council Connections page? Click on the link below for the printable version. 

COUNCIL CONNECTIONS -  27 JANUARY 2021

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