Dalby, Jandowae go from drought to flood damage

The deluge in this regional Queensland area has been a godsend for farmers, but not so great for residents in low-lying areas.

The rising waters at Jandowae after heavy rains flooded the small town. Picture: Jade Por

FOR drought-affected communities across Queensland, the heavy rain has been bittersweet.

The rain has been great for farmers in Dalby and Jandowae, but not so great for those in low-lying areas.

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Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh is helping the town rebuild from the damage, but stresses the importance of rain to the community.

“There’s lots of personal damage to low lying bits of property but the town has actually come back quite well,” the Mayor said.

There was a 2.35m flow that entered into Dalby on Sunday, causing damage across the region.

A house in Jandowae inundated with floodwaters after heavy rains hit the Western Downs region. Picture: John Eather

Jandowae was hit the hardest with many homes and buildings inundated with water

As the town repairs and rebuilds, the future is looking bright for the region.

“I was talking to a grower yesterday and from the 1st of January this year he’s had 20 inches of rain. Last year he only had six inches,” Cr McVeigh said.

Last year there was 158mm of rain in the drought-hit Dalby area. In just six weeks it has surpassed that figure with 232mm.

“There’s not a farmer or a grazier that hasn’t got a smile from ear to ear,” Cr McVeigh said.

“We’ve been through years of drought so everything has been brown and dusty, but now it’s just mud and green.”

Cr McVeigh said the damage that came with the rainfall was very unfortunate, but “the morale around the place has been fantastic”.

“It fills the rivers up and any of our industry that’s involved in irrigation get to fill up their ring tanks that secure next year’s crops,” he said.

“I had a farmer tell me he’s lost a paddock of mung beans, now he thinks he’ll grow rice.

“That’s that great country humour.”