What we learned: Monday 10 March
And that’s where we’ll leave you this Monday. A lot has happened today; here’s just some of it:
Flood emergency warnings were issued across NSW and Queensland as rain continued overnight.
The premiers of NSW and Queensland warned communities of Monday’s rain and the prospect of intensified flooding. It was Brisbane wettest day in 51 years.
Anthony Albanese announced that from Tuesday eligible workers and sole traders in south-east Queensland and NSW who have lost income as a direct result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred will be able to access up to 13 weeks of income support.
As of this morning, there were about 230,000 people without power across the two states, with many telco towers and NBN connections also offline.
Queensland’s water authority warned that sewage was expected to overflow into flood water and reminded people to avoid coming into contact with it.
Federal police said a caravan found in Sydney filled with explosives was “never going to cause a mass casualty event” and was a “fake terrorism plot” that was orchestrated, along with other antisemitic incidents, for motives that were not driven by antisemitism.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton defended himself again criticism for attending a fundraiser hosted by billionaire Justin Hemmes in Sydney before the cyclone hit, saying “It wasn’t a party, it was a fundraising dinner”.
Thanks for your company today. Look after yourselves, stay safe and dry, and I’ll see you right back here tomorrow for another day of news.
Updated
Search for missing surfer after board recovered with bite marks off remote WA beach
Emergency services are scouring waters for a missing surfer feared taken by a shark after a surfboard with bite marks was recovered off a remote southern beach in Western Australia.
The “reported shark bite incident” was being investigated at Wharton Beach in the Duke of Orleans Bay area, about 60km east of Esperance, the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said on Monday.
Police said that at 12.10pm local time there was a report of a “possible surfer in distress”:
A surf board with evidence of bite marks has been recovered from the water … but no surfer has been sighted.
It is believed the surfer was the victim of a serious shark bite incident.
A shark was sighted in the area a short time prior, and beachgoers left the water.
Police, Marine Rescue WA and SES personnel are searching the coastline for the missing surfer. Two ambulances had been sent to the beach.
Surf Life Saving WA issued an alert warning for water users to take extra care in the Duke of Orleans Bay area in Condingup.
There have been three fatal shark attacks in the region since 2017.
– Australian Associated Press
Updated
The normally pristine coastline in the northern rivers region of New South Wales has been reconfigured into sand cliffs and fallen trees after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The rivers are brown and engorged, creeping towards breaching their banks. There is water everywhere – across roads, flooding country people in. The rain has been incessant, pounding down for days. Black-tinged clouds move ominously in a grey sky, promising more.
The lack of electricity is getting old fast. People, says Theresa Mitchell of the charity Agape Outreach Inc, “are struggling and going a bit batty. They have no entertainment for the children, no food access. They come here to get out of the house and get some warm food.”
Houses are starting to smell of damp and mould. Food is rotting in fridges, charging a phone involves ingenuity. There is the frustration of not being able to communicate.
Flood-hardened locals are stoic. After the horrors of 2022 it takes more than localised flooding to rattle them.
Read the full story here:
More reaction to the joint NSW Police and AFP announcement today that the caravan found in Sydney was “never going to cause a mass casualty event” and was a “fake terrorism plot”, and that they had arrested 14 people in relation to antisemitic incidents across Sydney’s east.
To recap: police this afternoon said those antisemitic incidents (including graffiti and arson) investigated by Strikeforce Pearl were not driven by antisemitism but rather by criminals with other motives such as “causing chaos within the community, causing threat, causing angst, diverting police resources away from their day jobs” (to quote deputy commissioner David Hudson).
David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said the board welcomes the arrests:
The criminals who allegedly arranged and carried out these violent attacks sought to take advantage of already-strained social cohesion and unprecedented levels of antisemitism by targeting the Jewish community for their own personal benefit. This is reprehensible and had a chilling effect on the Jewish community.
The findings of this investigation should not in any way diminish the summer of fear and anxiety which the Jewish community experienced or the vicious nature of the attacks which included the attempted arson of Synagogues and the firebombing of a childcare centre. Nor should it take away from the record levels of antisemitism experienced over the past 18 months in Australia.
Today’s arrests and the confirmation that the caravan plot was fabricated will bring some comfort to the Jewish community and we look forward to receiving further information as the investigation continues to progress.
Man charged with drink-driving after flood water rescue
A man has been charged with drink-driving after being rescued from flood waters he had attempted to drive through in South Lismore.
About 9.15am, police were called to assist a driver in the Loftville area, finding a 55-year-old man had attempted to cross a flooded section of the road in a four-wheel-drive when the vehicle became stuck, NSW police said in a statement.
The man was assisted out of the water by Police Rescue and SES crews, breath-tested at the site, and allegedly returned a positive result. A later analysis at Casino police station returned an alleged blood alcohol reading of 0.086.
The man’s licence was suspended and he will appear before Lismore local court on Wednesday 19 March 2025.
Updated
Here’s a quick rundown of where the other telecommunications and internet services are at in the cyclone-weather-affected areas:
• NBN said the number of services affected in south-east Queensland and northern NSW is now at 192,000 (down from 252,000) across the nbn fixed line and fixed wireless networks. Most of the impact is related to mains power outages. That advice was current as of 11am AEDT today.
• Optus said 265 mobile sites were without connection due to power failures, with 18 sites in NSW down and the rest in south-east Queensland. Twenty-eight sites had been brought back up in the 16 hours to midday AEDT today, and 145 sites have been restored since the weather event began.
• Vodafone said there was a continuing loss of power to 203 mobile sites across south-east Queensland and northern NSW as of 1.45pm today. Some sites were operating on battery backup, but there were 30 sites without overlapping coverage. Forty sites had been brought back online overnight, but again, electricity connection is the major issue in restoring the rest.
Some mobile phone towers back on line in NSW, Qld but power outages remain
More than 270 Telstra mobile towers in New South Wales and Queensland are back online after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through, including 37 reactivated today, a spokesperson for the telco said this afternoon.
Power outages are now the main problem, the spokesperson said:
Our network sites have backup systems that keep services running for as long as possible, but customers should be prepared for disruptions if power is out for a long time in their area, or if access is cut to a site.
We’ve also activated our assistance package for affected customers, which includes extra mobile data and free call diversions.
We know this is a tough time and the weather is still unpredictable, so we urge everyone to stay safe and thank them for their patience.
There are still 117 Telstra mobile sites, 6,788 landline phone services and 1,621 ADSL services out of action.
Updated
Residents of Grantham, scene of devastating 2011 Qld floods, advised to move to higher ground because of flooding fears
An emergency siren in the Queensland rural town of Grantham has sounded because of concerns about dangerous flooding in the regional community west of Brisbane.
A “very serious storm cell” was reportedly moving in the area of the Lockyer Valley, including in the towns of Laidley and Grantham, according to Queensland premier David Crisafulli.
At about 1pm on Monday afternoon local time, the Lockyer Valley Regional Council issued an emergency warning for Grantham residents, saying:
Dangerous flooding is likely to occur in the Grantham area in the coming hours. Residents should move to higher ground and relocate to family and friends as a matter of urgency.
The Grantham Butter Factory and Gatton Shire Hall are designated as places of shelter.
In 2011, a huge flash flood claimed the lives of 12 residents in Grantham, among the worst loss of life that year.
Lockyer MP Jim McDonald, a senior police officer who served on the disaster management team at the time, said locals were well prepared. The flood level peaked at about 3.15pm, and at the time of writing, was going down. It peaked in Laidley at about 2pm and had subsided 30cm or so.
McDonald said:
For people who know Grantham, [the water has] got up into the main street and got up to the front door of the service station.
McDonald said both communities had experienced substantial flooding but it could have been much worse.
[In Laidley it’s] not as big as the 2013 flood, but it’s a big flood and Grantham is quite high as well, but we haven’t had anybody lose their life. That’s a good thing.
Updated
People returning home after the floods advised to avoid hazards, such as fallen power lines
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre, set up to support the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred emergency response in NSW, has now closed, according to NSW Police.
It has advised members of the public returning home through or to flood-affected areas to avoid damaged powerlines, flood water on roads, and other hazards, and to continue monitoring the SES website, news reports, traffic and weather sources for information about hazardous conditions.
The Red Cross service, “Register, Find, Reunite”, continues to operate, police said.
Updated
Hardship assistance extended to more Queensland residents
Personal Hardship Assistance is now available for eligible residents in Redland, the Gold Coast and Logan city councils who are directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Support includes a range of grants to assist with the purchase of emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household goods, and income-tested assistance for structural repairs to properties and the reconnection of essential services.
Residents can check eligibility and apply via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp, or by phoning the 24/7 Queensland Community Recovery hotline on 1800 173 349.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Southern Downs Regional Councils have also been activated to receive funding for their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets, including emergency repairs to the region’s roads.
These councils join the previously activated councils of Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, and Sunshine Coast.
Updated
People in Queensland, NSW start submitting insurance claims from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred damage
More than 7,500 Queenslanders have already submitted insurance claims for their homes because of damage done by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, just days after the system hit south-east Queensland.
About 464 car and 110 business claims have also been lodged in Queensland as of midday on Monday, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
There have also been 898 insurance claims raised in New South Wales.
On Sunday, the council declared an “insurance catastrophe” for south-east Queensland and northern NSW, saying:
It is too early to estimate the cost of the damage. However, based on previous similar events, insurers expect many more thousands of claims to be made in coming days and weeks.
Updated
Today’s First Dog cartoon is on the Tasmanian salmon industry. I can’t promise it will make you feel better about the world right now (does anything?!) but you should still read it.
Back to the floods
Queensland SES conducted drone flyovers of Gold Coast beaches on the weekend in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. With a bird’s-eye view, you can see the quite significant coastal erosion the weather system has caused.
Updated
One Broken Hill prison escapee captured, another still on the run
One of two inmates who escaped from a prison in Broken Hill overnight has been re-arrested, while the other remains at large, NSW Police have said.
The two men, aged 23 and 28, were last seen at the jail at about 9.40pm on Sunday, and police believe they left via Gossan Street.
The 23-year-old was arrested on Monday, along with a 31-year-old woman in his company. Police are appealing for public assistance to find the 28-year-old man.
Updated
Liberal Jane Hume: Government has allowed antisemitism to continue ‘unchecked’
Political reaction to the revelations about the caravan plot are starting to roll in.
Labor senator Murray Watt told the ABC a short time ago that the government welcomed the announcements by police that there was no risk to public safety, and he took a veiled swipe at the opposition leader in the process:
The government absolutely welcomes the finding by the police that there appeared to be no risk to public safety in this instance and that’s a great relief for the Australian community.
We have, of course, entirely backed the police forces during these investigations and we have not taken the opportunity – like some – to make political statements trying to influence and interfere in that investigation.
But I think even though the police have found there wasn’t a real risk to public safety, I don’t think we can underestimate the harm, psychological harm that it created for the Jewish community. We’ve said on many occasions there’s absolutely no place for antisemitism in our society. I think it’s good news police have made progress in this investigation.
Liberal senator Jane Hume was less veiled in her criticism:
The rise of antisemitism has been allowed to continue unchecked by this government and it’s not just the Jewish community that are feeling under threat but communities around those communities, also. Unfortunately, we now have a really important part of the Australian public feeling unsafe in their homes, in their places of worship and even when they’re walking down the street or in universities and that’s because of the weak leadership of the Albanese government on this issue.
Liberal senator James Patterson posted this on X:
Organised crime concocting terrorism plots targeting the Jewish community is an extremely serious matter. National security ministers and the PM should have been promptly briefed, as the NSW Premier was. The government must now explain whether they were, and if not, why not.
Updated
NSW Police, AFP went public on fake terror plot because of connection to Sydney antisemitic attacks
Asked if any of the people arrested today were facing charges specifically in relation to the caravan, Hudson said:
While a number of arrests have been made today and over that, activity was conducted in relation to the caravan at Kissinger, no arrests have been made. They have all been in relation to [Strike Force] Pearl offences. But as Krissy says, the investigation is ongoing.
Asked why they were able to go public with this information when they still hadn’t arrested anyone, he said:
The caravan job, as I indicated, was orchestrated by the same individual or individuals that were orchestrating the Pearl incidents [that is, the antisemitic incidents], which is why we put them under one detective superintendent, so that there was no potential for isolation of evidence under Pearl that might have been relevant to Kissinger and vice versa.
Updated
AFP deputy commissioner: person behind fake terror plot ‘known to organised crime’
Asked aboutthe alleged motivation for fabrication of the terror plot, Barrett refused to respond on the specifics, but said:
We have this scenario going along a lot of the time, it can include leveraging the exchange of information to law enforcement, some sort of personal gain, mostly around sentence reduction and the like.
The person they allege “is pulling the strings” is “known to organised crime, known in the organised crime environment”, Barrett said.
Updated
AFP working with law enforcement agencies overseas to pursue those responsible
Barrett said “a number of people” had been identified as part of the fake terrorism plot and the AFP was also working with law enforcement agencies overseas in order to pursue those responsible.
She continued:
Regardless of the motivation of those responsible for this fake plot, it has had a chilling effect on the Jewish community. This twisted self-serving criminality has terrorised Australians. What organised crime has done to the Jewish community is reprehensible, and it won’t go without consequences.
There was also unwarranted suspicion directed at other communities, and that is also reprehensible.
Updated
AFP ‘confident these tip-offs were fabricated’
Barrett said the joint investigation had considered giving the information to the public earlier but as they had continued to receive tip-offs “about other terror plots related to this matter … out of an abundance of caution it was agreed by all agencies the operation would remain in the joint counter-terrorism team”.
Barrett continued:
While we were confident these were fake, we could not risk ignoring the information provided and we kept investigating at highest level.
We are now confident these tip-offs were fabricated and the caravan plot was an elaborate scheme contrived by organised criminals domestically and from offshore. There were several people who had different levels of involvement in this fake terrorism plot, but put simply the plan was the following: Organise someone to buy a caravan, place it with explosives and written material of antisemitic nature, leave it in a specific location and then once that happened, inform law enforcement about an impending terror attacks against Jewish Australians.
We believe the person pulling the strings wanted changes to their criminal status but maintained a distance from their scheme and hired alleged local criminals to carry out parts of their plan.
Updated
AFP: caravan found in Sydney was ‘a fake terrorism plot'
Federal police say a caravan found in Sydney was “never going to cause a mass casualty event” and was a “fake terrorism plot”.
Australian federal police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett, speaking to media just now, said the AFP had been investigating those allegedly responsible for the caravan found with explosives and antisemitic material on the 19 January.
Barrett said:
Within hours of the caravan being found any perceived threat was mitigated and the investigation was referred to the New South Wales joint counter-terrorism team, which includes the AFP, NSW Police, Asio and the New South Wales Crime Commission.
Almost immediately, experienced investigators within the joint counter-terrorism team believed that the caravan was part of a fabricated terrorist plot, essentially a … con job.
This was because of the information they already had, how easily the caravan was found and how visible the explosives were in the caravan. Also there was no detonator. Today, I can reveal the caravan was never going to cause a mass casualty event but instead [we will allege] was concocted … to cause fear for personal benefit.
Updated
Joint police investigation quickly discovered links between caravan plot and antisemitic attacks
Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said that until today, the investigation had identified 14 offences for continued investigation, and until this morning had made 15 arrests and 78 charges for several of those incidents.
The caravan that contained explosives discovered at Dural on 19 January, which also contained threats directed towards the Jewish community, was investigated jointly by the NSW police, Australian federal police, Asio and the New South Wales Crime Commission due to the possibility it had reached the threshold of a terrorist incident, Hudson said.
Hudson said that very quickly after the caravan was examined, police identified there were strong and significant crossovers between the two investigations.
As a result of these ongoing inquiries, and the significant investigative work, officers attached to Strike Force Pearl conducted activity commencing at 6am this morning. This was in the form of a further 11 search warrants and three firearm prohibition searches. It has resulted in the arrest of a further 14 individuals and we are charging them with 49 offences linked to Strike Force Pearl.
Updated
Police presser on investigation into ‘serious hate crimes’
The AFP and NSW police are speaking to media now about their investigations into “serious hate crimes and significant criminal activity committed on places of worship”.
Updated
Here’s a round up of the weather forecast for those already-inundated areas in Queensland and NSW.
Gold Coast mayor gives update
The mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate, spoke to media a short time ago.
He said while the rain had started to ease, it was still very dangerous outside, on the foreshore especially. People should stay away from the flood water and the waterways generally. There are 20 sunken boats in the Broadwater.
The SES has picked up 2,600 jobs, with 1,500 outstanding.
Tate said:
Even though the rain is subsiding, there is still a tremendous amount of water coming through for isolated flash flooding to occur, so don’t take your chances, take a longer route home. We have teams ready on the beach, as I said, so there will be signage out there, and just take notice of that signage.
For those wondering what to do with their sandbags once they have no further use for them, Tate said:
Empty the sand, if you can, in your garden, and put the bags in your bin, and that’s probably the best way to take it away.
Some good news was that water quality was still good, Tate said, with the sewage system holding up and the mains water still very drinkable.
Updated
NSW police raid Sydney properties in relation to Dural caravan found with explosives
Reports have emerged this afternoon that NSW police have raided properties across Sydney today, investigating possible organised crime links to a caravan found in Dural earlier this year with explosives inside it.
Here’s some background on that, if you need a refresher:
We’re expecting a press conference on this issue from NSW police and the Australian federal police within the hour. I’ll bring you all those details when it gets under way.
Updated
Righto, with that I am off. Thank you so much for spending the morning with me on the blog.
I am going to hand over to the formidable Stephanie Convery who will take you through the afternoon. Stay safe and dry please!
Updated
Flooding in Brisbane suburbs in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred:
Keen blog readers will remember NSW Premier Chris Minns got a little bit short with a reporter this morning, after he was asked a series of questions about evacuation centres closing.
We have the video here now if you want to take a look:
From AAP:
Star Entertainment Group is reviewing a recapitalisation offer from a US casino giant that could save it from going into administration.
Bally’s Corporation has proposed a last-minute $250m recapitalisation plan in exchange for at least a 50.1% stake in the casino operator.
Star’s board will review the proposal, after receiving the offer in a letter from Bally’s.
Star’s shares have been in a trading halt for more than a week, after it was unable to sign off on a financial report as spiralling debts of more than $400m had the company facing potential insolvency.
Updated
Some residents in inner-city Brisbane River suburbs cut off by flooding and fallen trees
There’s nothing like torrential rain to serve as a reminder to the people of the Brisbane River suburbs of New Farm, Newstead and Teneriffe that they live on a peninsula in a river prone to flooding.
Getting in and out of the leafy inner-city suburbs has been fraught over the last few days – for some, it has proved impossible.
On Sunday, people awoke to find a number of large trees down and completely cutting off roads out – including one of the few main roads out of the densely populated peninsula.
Council crews have worked quickly with chainsaw and heavy machinery to remove many of those trees, while others that have fallen in parks or have otherwise not blocked transport are on the to-do-list.
On Monday, flooded roads at the area’s edge prevented some from getting out to work and other destinations. The peninsula itself, however, does not appear to have suffered much flood damage as the river has not broken its banks, and does not have the creek systems prone to flash flooding being experienced in other parts of the city.
Updated
WA election results leave Liberals contemplating future of leadership
From AAP:
The WA Liberals will consider the future of their leadership and how to pick up the pieces after a second consecutive electoral disaster delivered another resounding victory to Labor.
Latest counting in Saturday’s poll shows Labor has won 41 seats, the Liberals five and the Nationals four, according to ABC News.
Results in nine seats remain in doubt.
The Liberals are left without any real hope of building momentum towards victory at the next election, creating the prospect of another eight years in the political wilderness.
Liberal leader Libby Mettam said on Sunday that she would leave it to the parliamentary party to decide the leadership and she did not indicate if she would seek to continue in the role.
Former TV presenter and lord mayor of Perth Basil Zempilas is being widely touted as her likely successor, after he narrowly secured the seat of Churchlands from sitting Labor MP Christine Tonkin.
Updated
While we are talking about rainfall – my colleagues Nick Evershed and Josh Nicholas had this great story showing the total rainfall at weather stations over the past seven days and the areas at risk of flooding.
You can check it out here:
Updated
Brisbane records wettest day in 51 years
Weatherzone is reporting Brisbane has had its wettest day in 51 years.
A huge total of 275.2mm accumulated in the gauge in the 24 hours to 9am Monday, making it Brisbane’s wettest 24-hour period since 314mm fell in the 24 hours to 9am on 26 January 1974 – the year of the devastating Brisbane River floods in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Wanda.
In a statement, Weatherzone said:
The good news for sodden Brisbane locals is that heavy rain is expected to ease this afternoon, with showers on the cards for the rest of the week rather than persistent rain.
But the immediate situation remains extremely serious across significant parts of southeast Queensland and northeast NSW. Numerous flood warnings are in place, as well as multiple emergency warnings from NSW and Qld authorities.
Updated
Sewage expected to overflow into flood water, Queensland water authority warns
Look, this is both gross and important. In QLD the Seqwater authority is warning that sewage is expected to overflow into some flood water:
We’re experiencing wastewater overflows and releases from some of our wastewater infrastructure due to a range of reasons including increased flows from wet weather, power outages or critical components of pump stations having been removed as part of preparation works.
We’re reminding people to avoid contact with flood water and local waterways following wet weather. During wet weather events, waterways can be impacted by a range of sources including diluted wastewater, debris, animal waste and stormwater run-off.
Drinking water remains safe.
You can find more info here: https://www.urbanutilities.com.au/faults-and-interruptions/incidents
Updated
PM spruiks tax cuts when asked about budget
And we are back on the budget … again. For those tuning into the news cycle now, the budget is going ahead.
People can expect a budget on March 25, which is what we’ve been planning. And the expenditure Review Committee concluded all of our portfolio budget submissions a couple of weeks ago now, and my government has consistently provided cost-of-living support.
We provided a tax cut for every single Australian taxpayer. We provided energy bill relief, cheaper childcare, free TAFE, cheaper medicines.
Updated
PM says he has been giving support in wake of ex-cyclone ‘in a totally non-political way’
And the PM is taking questions now. He has been asked about the comments Peter Dutton made saying he was not at a party but a fundraiser before the cyclone hit.
I haven’t seen those comments from Mr Dutton. I haven’t seen any comments from Mr. Dutton for a while, but … I’ve been getting on with doing this job.
That’s what I’ve been doing, giving support to people in a totally non-political way. And I think it’s disappointing if, if there’s any suggestion otherwise, I made sure, before I came here, that I rang Kevin Hogan. Made sure he was aware, as the local federal member, the local state member here, and we’ve acted across the board.
Updated
Less than 10,000 houses still without power, NSW energy minister says
Penny Sharpe, the NSW energy minister, gives a brief update on the power situation in the state:
There [are] less than 10,000 houses that are without power. Now, 10,000 is still a lot, and for those that are impacted, we understand, and we’re moving as quickly as possible. But that’s down from 43,000 in a very short period of time. For those communities and people that are very isolated, it will take longer. But understand that Essential Energy is working day and night to put crews in place to get you up and running as soon as possible.
Updated
‘We’re not out of the woods’, SES commissioner says
Wassing reminds people that it’s not over yet:
We’re not out of the woods. We still have many isolated communities, many communities who are still at risk with heavy rainfall. It’s really important that again - for the Mid North Coast right up to the north-east – that people are watching the Hazards Near Me app, continue to work with the emergency services.
Unfortunately people are still walking into and driving into flood waters. I understand the appetite to check on your home and get home, but in some cases that’s not yet safe to do so, and in other areas it’s safe to do so. The key message is please keep in touch with us, work with us, as you have done, and we’ll all get home safely including our emergency services personnel.
Updated
Last evacuation order lifted for North Lismore area, NSW SES commissioner says
The NSW SES commissioner Michael Wassing has taken the mic at the PM’s press conference in Lismore. He says the last evacuation order has been lifted for the North Lismore area.
He reminds the public that the roads are still slippery, many still have access issues or water over them, and there’s debris still around from the storms. He encourages people, when they get home, to check their homes for damage and call for assistance if they need it.
Updated
Albanese praises resilience of Lismore community
Albanese says there are grants for eligible impacted residents, and will cover emergency costs, replacement of damaged household goods and reconnection of services.
He says there are emergency hardship assistance grants, essential services, hardship assistance, essential household contents grants and structural assistance grants.
Albanese praises the resilience of the Lismore community:
This has been a difficult period, but we are seeing it through and we are seeing it through together as a community, as Australians, showing who we are. We’re a resilient bunch and we deal with hardship. And this community of Lismore have dealt with far more than its fair share. And the fact that the mayor, when I spoke to him just a few days ago, he was in good spirits. He’s still in good spirits today. It says a lot about this community, that they are so tough. But toughness also requires common sense, and I’m sure that that will continue to occur.
Updated
Albanese says 13-week income support available for workers affected by Alfred
My apologies for the press conference whiplash, but the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking now in Lismore.
He says that from tomorrow, eligible workers and sole traders in south-east Queensland and NSW who have lost income as a direct result of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred, will be able to access up to 13 weeks of income support.
Albanese says:
That will click in and be available for applications from 2:00 tomorrow, but people can check on their eligibility by logging in now to the myGov website or the Services Australia website. The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a solely commonwealth funded allowance.
It provides up to 13 weeks of income support at the jobseeker level to individuals who work in the local government areas impacted, and of those across NSW and Queensland. There are 31 local government areas who’ve been impacted as a direct result of this disaster.
Further today, along with the Queensland premier, who will be making an announcement as well, jointly funded commonwealth state support is kicking in. The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme will be activated for impacted residents in the Logan, Gold Coast, City and Redland City Council areas.
Updated
Crisafulli says schools to advise parents on closures
Crisafulli is back taking questions now. He says the government doesn’t know what the damage bill will be yet from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, as it’s too early to know.
On schools, the premier says that at 5pm every day schools will put out information on what’s open and what’s closed. He says:
If in the morning a principal makes a local decision to close a school because they believe something has changed, either it’s lost electricity or no longer safe to get there, we’ll back that local principal to make that decision. They make the assessments, we put them online at 5pm [and] that will give the vast majority of people the chance to play for the day ahead.
Updated
Disaster declaration in place for Toowoomba, including Laidley and Lockyer Valley
Chelepy says all the at-risk homes of Laidley, which is experiencing significant flooding, and surrounding suburbs including Rosewood and Grantham, have been door knocked by police.
A disaster declaration has been put in place this morning for Toowoomba, including Laidley and Lockyer Valley, and there are two emergency alerts in place for Lockyer Valley and Laidley.
Chelepy says:
We’re expecting the Warrego highway to remain closed for some time, that will impact the roads across this area. We have deployed additional resources into this area and pre-positioned these resources so regardless of what roads are cut off, we’re able to respond whether it be from the west or the east, or the north.
Updated
Missing 18-year-old male from Logan found safe and well this morning
Shane Chelepy, acting Queensland police commissioner, is addressing the media now
Police have located the missing 18-year-old male from Logan safe and well this morning following a search-and-rescue at Logan Reserve overnight, Chelepy says. He thanks the public for their help in providing information to police.
Chelepy says in addition to the resources already deployed, an extra 249 police officers are out in the community today in affected areas, including 117 officers from the far north of the state and another 107 SES personnel arriving from interstate.
Updated
Severe weather warning for Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast areas, including Ipswich
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting very heavy to intense rainfall across the severe weather warning area, leading to “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”.
The severe weather warning area includes Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast areas, including Ipswich. Expected rainfall totals over six hours are in the range of 80mm to 120mm, the Bureau’s spokesperson says.
The last 24 hours has already seen significant rainfall – some of the most significant includes 433mm at Diamond Creek on the Sunshine Coast, 410mm at Wongawallan, inland from the Gold Coast, 340mm at Mount Coot-Tha in the Brisbane area, and more than 300mm in the Brisbane metropolitan area.
The Bureau’s spokesperson says:
I just want to stress, we’re still in a severe weather warning and there is still significant flooding occurring throughout south-east Queensland. The situation does remain ongoing. We are still forecasting an easing in the weather later Monday afternoon, but the flooding will continue.
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BoM says rain has eased in some parts but ‘risk is not over’
A spokesperson from the Bureau of Meteorology is speaking to media in Queensland now. She reiterates that today will be a challenging day in the state:
Earlier this morning, we were tracking thunderstorms around the Cherbourg, Somerset and Lockyer Valley council regions, in which were producing 50mm of rainfall in an hour. And we did see totals up to 140mm in three hours in those thunderstorms. I’m pleased to report that the thunderstorms have now eased and the rainfall rates have dropped to a more regular 10mm an hour or so.
However, the risk is not over. We have a severe weather warning remaining current for south-east Queensland areas and it extends from Gympie, or to the north of Gympie, I should say, down to the Queensland border and westward to include areas of Toowoomba and out to Goondiwindi.
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Premier says 463 state schools and 259 independent and Catholic schools still closed
And we have some school numbers. Crisafulli says 463 state schools and 259 independent and Catholic schools remain closed, while 200 schools re-opened today.
He said:
I want to assure parents that getting your kids safely back to school remains a priority for us, and I’m mindful that that’s the difference between police officer, health professional, someone working at the supermarket, someone working at the petrol station, being able to go back serve their community and earn a living.
So making sure that we do that is right at the top of mind.
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‘Very difficult 24 hours’ for Hervey Bay
We mentioned earlier Hervey Bay has been hit hard yesterday, now Crisafulli says the damage is extensive.
It’s been a very difficult 24 hours for Hervey Bay.
Whilst the weather conditions are starting to look a little better, we urge that community to obviously stay connected. We have SES and Queensland Fire Department on the ground at the moment doing a couple of things. First and foremost, helping with damage assessments. And we, as you don’t know the scale of the damage, but we do have intel on the ground to suggest it is significant.
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Crisafulli says there are still 200,000 homes and businesses without power
Crisafulli:
In the past 24 hours, Energex has reconnected about 140,000 Queensland homes and businesses, but there’s still over 200,000 without power, and I want to speak to those 200,000 people today.
I understand how much this has impacted you, and the impacts on food, your family, your mental health, your ability to be able to stay connected. Those crews are working around the clock.
And we assure you that getting power reconnected is at the top of at the top of our list right now.
He says crews were working around the lock last night to pre-emptively make sure an extra 100,000 homes did not lose power.
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Busiest 24-hour period ever for SES, Crisfulli says
Crisafulli says it is still a developing situation – and has been the busiest 24 hours for the SES:
To give you an indication of the response and scale of the operation, in the last 24 hours, there have been 3,676 calls to help for the SES – that is the largest 24-hour period in the history of Queensland State Emergency Service.
I want to thank everyone of them for the work they did, every single one of them.
He says volunteers from South Australia, the ACT and Western Australia are all about to arrive in the state to help.
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Crisafulli concerned about Lockyer Valley and Ipswich
On the Lockyer Valley, Crisafulli said:
It’s a major area of focus for us right now, a very serious storm cell is moving in that area, and overnight there were door knocks in areas like Laidley and Grantham, two communities that are no strangers to flooding – and they have proven time and time again what a resilient part of the world.
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Crisafulli warns of ‘prospect of more intense flooding’ today
Premier David Crisafulli is up now talking to the media:
Rainfall is leading to flash flooding as well as river flooding in parts of the south-east, severe weather warnings still exist right now, and we are urging people to stay connected because of the prospect of more intense flooding during the course of today.
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‘Water’s up over our gate,’ Peter Dutton says from Queensland
On Sky News earlier, Peter Dutton also revealed he is trapped in his home in Queensland.
He said:
Hopefully it recedes quickly, but at the moment a few of us are trapped at home, including ourselves. Fortunately our house is fine, but the water’s up over our front gate so that’s the reality at the moment.
The emergency service workers and the council workers are doing an amazing job, Pete, but a lot of families, a lot of businesses are really heavily impacted again this morning.
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The PM is expected to speak within the next hour in Lismore. I will bring you that when he is up!
Water, water everywhere: the aftermath of Alfred in pictures
I just want to take a minute to draw your attention to this photo essay we have up of the cyclone damage – they’re intense, but the last one is quite heartwarming:
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Peter Dutton responds to fundraiser criticism
Speaking on Sky News Peter Dutton has addressed the criticism he has been copping for attending a fundraiser hosted by billionaire Justin Hemmes in Sydney before the cyclone hit.
He said:
It wasn’t a party, it was a fundraising dinner and the prime minister and I are doing them around the country at the moment.
I’d received a briefing in the morning, went down, I had diary commitments including lunch with an archbishop and a number of meetings otherwise in Sydney.
I flew home on the first flight on Wednesday morning back into my electorate and the event hadn’t started by then, didn’t start until Friday.
I think people who are using that for political advantage in the time of a natural disaster, frankly, that’s a poorer reflection on them than it is on me. I think people recognise that.
The party/fundraiser was held at Hemmes’ $100 million Vaucluse mansion. The Daily Tele reported tickets to the event cost $25,000. Just FYI, the median wage in Aus is around $65,000.
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Premier David Crisafulli will be up soon – I will bring you that when he is on.
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Minns adamant NSW ‘not in a position to run permanent evacuation centres’
I can’t convey the tone over the blog, but when he was asked a follow-up question about the centres, Minns got frustrated:
There’ll be no evacuation centers closing while there’s an evacuation order that’s still outstanding, but once the evacuation orders have been lifted, we are not in a position to run permanent evacuation centres. That’s very clear.
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Evacuation centres ‘not long-term solutions for homelessness’, Minns says
Minns is back up and he has been asked about the closure of evacuation centres:
It’s a perennial problem we don’t have. We’ve got a real, pressing housing problem, particularly on the north coast. I think that the Northern Rivers region is one of the highest areas of homelessness in the state, if not the country.
He said the government committed $5 billion for social housing in the last budget.
Evacuation centres are not going to be long-term solutions for homelessness on the Northern Rivers. And I just want to be really transparent and clear. They can’t operate longer than they were intended to.
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More rain expected over next couple of days, BoM says
Jane Golding from the BoM is up:
The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are still sitting over south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, and we’re expecting to see rain more generally, over the northern New South Wales coast, for a good couple of days.
Yet the risk of heavy totals is really just this morning and early afternoon. So that’s some good news.
She says there are still warnings in place up the coast and the area to the north of Lismore and on the western slopes should get a thunderstorm today.
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For emergency assistance in NSW, call 132 500
Damian Johnson, New South Wales emergency services deputy commissioner, is up now. He has some numbers for us:
In the last 24 hours, we’ve had 635 incidents and more than 1,100 calls for support. Unfortunately, we’ve had another 18 flood rescues in the last 24 hours. The vast majority of the public and the community are heeding the warnings, and I thank you for that.
Approximately 10,200 people, 4,500 dwellings are currently under emergency warnings across the state. There’s also approximately 1,800 residents that are isolated now. They might be isolated from food supplies, from medicines and other essential requirements. If you require assistance, please call 132 500.
It’s currently 135 warnings throughout the state, and 23 of those are emergency warnings.
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Minns says NSW owes ‘huge debt of gratitude’ to SES
Minns says the SES has learned from the 2022 flood, when they were criticised by the community in Lismore for being light on the ground. This time around they were there in force from the start, he says.
Minns:
We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. And I’m sure Northern Rivers will show their hospitality to these people when you see them in the street in the days ahead, buy them a coffee or maybe a beer if their shift is over, but it’s been a fantastic effort. I think it’s very clear, very clear that the SES has heard loud and clear the messages and the learnings from 2022.
So thanks to the SES, you’ve been absolutely fantastic, as have all emergency services that have been deployed to the regions in New South Wales, police, fire, rescue, paramedics, the RFS, everybody’s been fantastic.
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Evacuation centres will be closed when threat is over, Minns says
Minns is asking everyone to be careful, to avoid any power lines that are down in case they are still live, and report them.
He also says they will be closing down the evacuation centres:
I want to apologise in advance, but we have to draw a very clear and understood line in relation to evacuation centres, when the immediate threat of the storm is no longer felt by the community. We will not continue to operate them, and as the day wears on, we will be closing down evacuation centers.
I don’t want people to be disappointed when the government announces that we’re not continuing with their operation, once the threat has been relieved inside those communities.
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Lismore businesses getting ready to open again, Minns says
Minns says businesses in Lismore are beginning to open their doors, and getting ready to trade.
There’s 2,000 essential energy workers in the region, many of which were pre-positioned before the tropical cyclone hit the region, and they’ve done an incredible job connecting communities as soon as possible.
I understand from friends in the Northern Rivers that many businesses in Lismore are getting ready to open their doors and trade as soon as possible, which is fantastic news. Can’t wait to see those communities back on their feet as soon as possible.
You can’t do that without electricity. I don’t want to under-emphasize how complex and difficult the task was for essential energy to get that power back on, we really in a huge debt of gratitude.
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More rain expected over next 24 hours in NSW, premier says
Chris Minns is up now and he says the weather is still unpredictable:
The weather pattern is still somewhat unpredictable. We’re expecting some increased rainfall over the next 24 hours.
There is anticipated to be some more rainfall in the day ahead. Now we don’t want to alarm people, but that’s something certainly that everybody’s watching very closely over the next day.
There’s some good news out of Lismore. The only evacuation notice that’s still in place is for Lismore north, and I know that as soon as it’s safe, SES will lift that evacuation order, get people into their houses as soon as possible.
There are under 10,000 homes, about 9,800 homes and businesses in the Northern Rivers, that are still without power. That’s down from a high of 43,000 homes in the last three days.
Updated
We are expecting an update from the NSW premier and the SES soon.
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Australians’ life satisfaction at lowest since Covid, survey finds
The latest Australian National University election monitoring survey has found one in three Australians have reported financial stress and a similar proportion believed their lives have worsened over the past year, pushing life satisfaction to its lowest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
On top of this, more than half of Australians believed the lives of their children would be worse.
ANU professor Nicholas Biddle said:
Everyone can see the real struggle younger Australians have in getting a foot in the property market, which appears to be translating into pessimism about the future.
Pessimism reduces trust in government institutions and confidence in the federal government is at its lowest point since the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires.
One third of Australians expressed confidence in the federal government, down from half after the previous election.
Though two in three respondents were content with democracy, this does not reflect a “deep dissatisfaction” among economically stressed groups, the report warned.
- With AAP
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‘For lower-income households, renting is essentially impossible’,’ economist says
On the grim rental report, PropTrack senior economist Angus Moore said:
Australian renters are facing the toughest conditions in at least 18 years. Households across the income distribution can afford to rent the smallest share of advertised rentals since at least 2008.
The current alarming state of rental affordability is a substantial deterioration from conditions before and during the pandemic. Rents nationally are up 48% since pre-pandemic, while typical household incomes have only increased 19% in the same period.
For lower-income households, renting is essentially impossible. This highlights just how crucial Commonwealth Rent Assistance and community housing is for lower-income Australian households.
The silver lining for renters is that conditions appear to be improving. Rental availability, while still limited, is starting to increase and the pace of rent growth is slowing. While rents are still likely to grow this year, we expect the pace of growth will continue to moderate.
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Rental affordability reaches record low
Australia’s rental affordability has reached a new record low, according to the new REA Group Rental Affordability Report.
The report found that typical-income households earning roughly $116,000 could afford to rent just 36% of rentals advertised between July and December 2024 – the smallest share of properties since 2008.
Typical-income households spending 25% of their income could afford just 36% of rentals advertised on realestate.com.au over July-December 2024.
For households at the 30th percentile of income earning roughly $70,000, almost no rentals (just 2%) would have been affordable over July-December 2024.
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Flooding concern focused on Brisbane’s suburban creek catchments
The rain has eased in Brisbane, but concern now centres on some of the city’s suburban creek catchments. Much of the flooding in 2022 was caused by these creeks overflowing.
There are emergency warnings for the Oxley, Enoggera and Gubberley creeks in the Brisbane council area, and several more in Logan and the Gold Coast.
Looking at Enogerra Creek, river heights from near the weir near Kelvin Grove Road show a huge spike that we observed yesterday.
We got another high tide at that same spot just after midnight this morning, and driving around it’s clear that the water has receded from a peak. In most places that seems to be below the 2022 flood level, but close. Flooding is happening in all the same places.
Emergency warnings issued this morning show authorities are worried what could happen at the next high tide. Water spilling from Enogerra Dam – now at 240% of its capacity – will continue to go into the system. The rain has eased somewhat, which could be a saving grace.
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Man charged after alleged assault at NSW evacuation centre
In NSW, a man has been charged after an alleged assault at an evacuation centre.
In a statement, police said:
About 8pm yesterday, Sunday 9 March 2025, police were called to an evacuation centre in Dalley Street, Mullumbimby following reports of an assault.
On arrival, officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District were told two men had allegedly been involved in an altercation.
A 26-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for facial injuries before being taken to Byron Bay Hospital in a stable condition.
A 44-year-old man was arrested and taken to Byron Bay Police station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court today, Monday 10 March 2025.
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Welfare payments to rise on 20 March
A number of welfare support payments will increase from 20 March for around five million Australians.
Those receiving jobseeker payments over 22 and without children will get a $3.10 fortnightly increase to $789.90 after indexation comes into effect.
Couples on jobseeker will get an extra $2.80 per person in their fortnightly payment.
For an individual receiving the aged or disability support pensions, or a carers payment, the maximum fortnightly rate will increase by $4.60 to $1,149.
The rate increases by $7 a fortnight for each member of a pensioner couple to $866.60, or $1,732.20 combined.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, says the increases will “help ease some pressure” for recipients.
Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net. For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.
Advocacy groups and the government’s own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee have recommended the payments increase well beyond their current rates in response to rising housing and living costs.
The EIAC’s pre-budget report in April 2024 recommended jobseeker payments should be lifted to at least 90% of the aged pension rate.
The jobseeker base rate was raised by $40 a fortnight in Labor’s 2023 federal budget, coming into effect in September that year.
The EIAC’s report said the base rate’s boost was still not enough for many recipients to afford basic items and essentials.
Read more:
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Flood waters in Woodburn, NSW
I’ve got some pics here from Woodburn NSW, taken yesterday afternoon.
The river is threatening the town with flood waters after heavy precipitation brought by the ex-cyclone.
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Queensland power outages by LGA
I’ve got a bit more information on the power outages here in Queensland.
These numbers were from 10.30pm last night. By LGA we’ve got:
Brisbane City: 45,139. Gold Coast City: 77,232. Gympie Regional: 1. Ipswich City: 256. Lockyer Valley Regional: 112. Logan City: 30,399. City of Moreton Bay: 35,740. Noosa: 53. Redland City: 37,287. Scenic Rim Regional: 6190. Somerset Regional: 219. Sunshine Coast: 556.
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Power out in Hervey Bay
Power is out in Queensland’s Hervey Bay amid lashing from 300mm of rain yesterday.
Hervey Bay has been hit hard by the weather – with a huge amount of debris still in the town.
Some schools are closed, homes and businesses are still without power and clean-up crews are on the ground. But it copped a beating yesterday with more than 300mm of rain.
The SES said it had received 1,000 calls in the Hervey Bay region over the weekend.
Updated
And I have some pics here from my colleague Ben Smee, who lives in Brissy and has these pictures of the flooding:
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Albanese asked about coming poll
The PM is jumping around the networks – he is now speaking on Today. He’s been asked about the election and says:
I’m focused on helping Australians… I think governments should serve their full term. We’re governing and we’re governing in a way that’s completely put politics aside.
We’re just about helping people, because that’s what people expect. And that’s what they deserve.
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Albanese says insurance companies will be held ‘to account’ as premiums rise
The PM is speaking on Sunrise. He has been asked about if insurance companies, which have put their premiums up, are ripping us all off:
We will certainly hold the insurance companies to account. This is a time where they need to do a bit of repair of their relationships with the Australian public by doing the right thing and making payments immediately.
For people who are eligible, that’s what people expect.
Updated
About 230,000 still without power in Queensland and NSW
While thousands are still facing the threat of floods, there are also around 230,000 people without power across the two states.
About 30 rescues took place across Queensland’s south-east and northern NSW on the weekend.
Authorities have said there are crews on the ground trying to restore power – but it can be a slow job because of the changing weather, debris and dangerous conditions.
I will bring you more info as we go along the morning.
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Brisbane flood water rescue under way
There is a rescue under way in Newmarket Road, Windsor, where cars have tried to drive through flood waters.
The Queensland government has stressed to use common sense, adjust speeds and not drive through flood waters. There has been some heavy rainfall overnight and the roads are dangerous.
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Budget will be delivered ‘in the ordinary course’ – Marles
And finally, Marles has been asked about the budget:
This is what he had to say:
We’ve been working on a budget now, in the normal course, and budget submissions have been presented to the expenditure review committee. I sit on that.
And so we’ve been very busy in over the last few months, really, and particularly over the last few weeks, in the lead-up to the budget.
So the budget is going to be delivered in the ordinary course, and we will take it from there, and when we go to the polls, which is obviously in the not too distant future.
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Deputy PM says Australia will give ‘due consideration’ to any Ukraine peacekeeping request
And now we are on Ukraine – Marles has been asked if Australia would join a peacekeeping mission, how many ADF we would send. He says there is a planning meeting in Paris on Tuesday.
We’ll participate in that, and if there is a request in terms of providing peacekeepers, we’ll give due consideration to it. But we’d make the point that at the moment there isn’t a peace to keep.
But I’d also make this point that we do have Australian personnel who are in the UK right now providing training to new recruits to the Ukrainian armed forces.
And indeed they’ve been doing that since the end of 2022, so we already have a deployed commitment of Australian personnel in relation to this conflict. We’ll look at whatever request comes.
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All but one ADF personnel injured near Lismore released from hospital – Marles
Marles has said 11 of the Australian defence force personnel who were injured in a crash near Lismore are out of hospital.
All but one has been released. That’s good news, and the one person who is still in hospital is in a stable condition, not a life-threatening injury, and is expected to recover so broadly, this is good news for those personnel who were part of the accident that occurred on Saturday.
So that is a relief, although our thoughts are still with that person who’s in a hospital.
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Marles says ‘still a job to be done’ after Alfred downgraded
Deputy prime minister Richard Marles is up talking on the ABC.
Asked if everyone was relieved Alfred was downgraded, he said:
There is still a job to be done. There’s something in the order of 500 Defence personnel who are deployed in Queensland right now, through Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, and indeed north of Brisbane as well. There’s another 700 who are deployed in northern New South Wales.
So right now, people are very much focused on the job, making sure that recovery centres are being supported, welfare checks being done, routes are being cleared.
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‘Don’t go driving through flooded water’ – Crisafulli
And back up to Queensland where Premier David Crisafulli was speaking on ABC news just before.
He was warning people not to drive through flood waters.
My message is just to just to be careful: don’t go driving through flooded water. Do the little things right and you’ll get through this event.
We do have a bit of rain left to go … you must always put your safety first. That’s number one in a disaster. Property can be replaced, people can’t.
He said the cleanup would be a big job but Queenslanders were up for it.
I want Queenslanders to know whatever stage, wherever you’re at, we will see this through, and in doing so, we’ll be a stronger, more resilient state for it.
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NSW SES says ‘not out of the woods yet’ from Alfred
Staying in NSW for a second, SES assistant commissioner Sean Kearns said the overall situation with ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was looking more promising than it was a few days ago. Here is what he had to say:
We’re very glad to see some warnings reduced over the weekend, allowing some residents to return with caution in parts of Lismore, Kygole, Wiangaree, Arrawarra Beach, Darlington Beach and other locations as conditions have eased.
However, we’re not out of the woods just yet, major flooding and isolations are still occurring across many communities, and the predicted risk of heavy rain to continue throughout Monday and possibly into Tuesday will only exacerbate this risk.
We may see renewed river rises, but we’re hoping we have seen the worst of the rain from this event.
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NSW and Queensland flood emergency warnings issued
I’ve got a bit more information on the flooding here, from the NSW SES:
Significant flooding is occurring on the Clarence River, with emergency warnings advising people to shelter in place for people living on Carrs Island, Grafton and downstream on Harwood, Chatworth, Warregah and Goodwood Islands. Residents on these islands will be isolated until flood waters recede.
Along the Richmond River, residents at Bungawalbin have been advised it is too late to leave the area and to seek refuge at higher ground due to major flooding. Major flooding is also occurring at Coraki.
Very heavy rain has fallen overnight in Queensland and in the Tweed Valley. This rainfall has renewed flood levels across the region and is expected to last well across Monday in a number of places including Tumbulgum.
Further south, the Macleay River may reach moderate flood levels at Kempsey and Smithtown, with residents advised to prepare to evacuate. Isolations are also possible at Hat Head, Crescent Head and South West Rocks due to flood waters across roads.
A flood watch for minor flooding in the state’s north-west and central-west is in place.
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Fears Brisbane homes will be inundated as dam overflows
Residents along Brisbane’s Enogerra Creek catchment have been warned to prepare to move to higher ground, as the Enogerra dam overflows.
The dam is currently at 240% capacity and spilling into the creek system, which last night peaked just below the major flood level.
The concern now is that a combination of a high tide, water spilling from the reservoir and continued heavy rain will cause inundation of homes.
Guardian Australia saw the creek breaking its banks and spilling into parks and nearby streets yesterday. Those pictures (taken about 10.30am) were from when the creek was below the “minor” flood level. It seems there could be much more severe conditions on the way today.
Pics from yesterday here:
Updated
Welcome
Good morning everyone – this is Cait Kelly, I will be with you until the afternoon.
It’s a big morning, so let me catch you up on the headlines quickly.
Major flooding has isolated 1,800 people as evacuation routes have been cut, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to bring heavy rain to northern NSW.
A further 18,500 people across have been advised to prepare for isolations due to rising flood waters. Across the north-east of the state, 20,300 people (or 9,400 dwellings) are still currently under emergency warnings advising them to evacuate.
Ipswich city council has just issued an alert for flash flooding, and there are flood warnings for large parts of the state, including Noosa Rivers, Maroochy, parts of the Brisbane River, Logan, Cooper Creek and more. You can see the latest update from the BoM here.
I will also bring you more on this unfolding situation as we go along.
I’ve got a lot more for you this morning, so let’s get into it.
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