Gympie rally, Winter Trees on Mary event at risk from new weather event

Yet another east coast low is threatening a rain-fatigued Gympie region, threatening to deliver significant rain on the eve of two major tourist draws. This is what we know:

Organisers of two major Gympie region events remain defiant in the face of an east coast low threatening to dampen the region’s spirits at the end of the week.

The developing low is expected to deliver more than a month’s worth of rain over two days, with the Wide Bay and Gympie region likely to be in the firing line.

The wet weather would arrive the same time as Friday night’s Winter Trees on Mary celebration and a weekend-long Queensland Rally competition.

The latest forecast is for up to 25mm to fall in Gympie on Thursday, and then up to 35mm to fall on Friday.

It would bring July’s rainfall total to more than 100mm, double the monthly average for the region.

Chamber of Commerce president Petra Van Beek said Winter Trees and Wheels on Mary was full steam ahead despite the forecast.

Event organisers or the Winter Trees and Wheels on Mary and Rally this coming weekend have remained defiant in the face of yet another looming rainfall event forecast to hit the already soaked region.

“A little bit of rain has never stopped the festival in the past,” Ms Van Beek said.

She said the Chamber would take advice from the Bureau of Meteorology should the forecast take a turn for the worse.

“We deserve to have some fun, even if it’s fun in the rain,” she said.

Motorsport Australia spokesman Paul Riordan said there was a “close eye” being kept on the weather but “at this stage, the rally will go ahead as planned”.

Gympie Chamber of Commerce president Petra Van Beek said rain had not stopped Winter Trees in the past and the region deserved to have fun, even if it was a little wet.

Those totals would add to a region already soaked by rain in 2022, including floods in January, February and May.

This year Gympie has had 1417mm of rainfall, already breaking the average for the year by more than 300mm.

Residents and boaties along the Cooloola Coast are being warned gale force winds of up to 90km/h and dangerous surf conditions of up to 5m over the next two days.

The BoM is expecting the Wide Bay to receive about 75mm of rain, with Maryborough and Hervey Bay in the firing line.