Norths Rugby Club face anxious wait as Kedron Brook water rises
A Queensland rugby club is facing a possible $50,000-plus recovery bill as floodwaters from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred threaten its ground with water up to the crossbar of the goalposts. See the video here.
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A $50,000 time bomb is ticking at Brisbane’s Norths Rugby Club as flooding triggered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred climbs towards the crossbar at Hugh Courtney Oval.
Director of rugby Michael Bell first saw news of the nearby Kedron Brook’s banks breaking around 7.30-8am Sunday and less than an hour later water was edging across the club’s field.
With floodwater lapping at the goalpost crossbar by lunch time the concern now is for valuable playing equipment stored in the clubhouse.
“If it (the water) gets into the clubhouse we are in a lot of trouble,” Bell said.
“We ordered a lot of new playing gear for the season and a lot of it has already arrived.
“I don’t know exactly how much of it is here and in storage but it’s probably around $50,000 just for the seniors and maybe the same again for the juniors.
“Plus there is all the various stock in the clubhouse, food, the coldroom that kind of thing that would be damaged as well.”
Bell remembers the 2022 floods and the havoc they wreaked on the club and Brisbane as whole.
Back then water levels reached just a few centimetres below the goalpost pads and was about 6m away from the club concourse.
Bell and club officials are now looking to the skies hoping the water levels recede quickly.
“It’s not just the stock and equipment that we’re worried about,” Bell said.
“There are a lot sentimental items, memorabilia and the like in the clubhouse.
“Historic items that define our identity as a club.
“We haven’t won a lot of titles but there are things in the club that mean a lot to our members – legends who have devoted their lives to the club.
“We can replace things like honour boards if they’re damaged but the originals are special and there are things that if damaged they’re gone forever.”
WYNNUM WOLVES BRACING FOR IMPACT
The affects of cyclone alfred were being felt near and far with multiple clubs on the bayside affected severely.
The fields of Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club were completely submerged while Wynnum Wolves Football Club was reeling from the excessive rain.
In a facebook post, the club said the water levels at Carmichael Park are even higher than the 2022 freak rain and flood event that devastated the clubhouse and playing fields.
“The complex is quite literally now a lake and our hearts are sinking as we listen to the weather reports,” the post read.
“All the temporary facilities the club has been operating out of since the February 2022 floods are now under threat of inundation.”
Originally published as Norths Rugby Club face anxious wait as Kedron Brook water rises
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