Council closes popular swimming areas due to rain, urges residents to stay vigilant and informed
Council says that recent rainfall has caused a rush of fast-flowing water into local water systems, increasing the risk of people slipping on rocks, becoming trapped, being injured by debris or swept away.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The swimming areas at Babinda Boulders and Crystal Cascades are closed due to safety concerns caused by heavy rainfall, Cairns Regional Council announced on Monday.
The council said that recent rainfall has caused a rush of fast-flowing water into local water systems, increasing the risk of people slipping on rocks, becoming trapped, being injured by debris or swept away.
With continued rainfall forecast for the remainder of the week, the council said it will regularly monitor the sites and the areas will reopen when the water levels return to a safe level for swimming.
The council also issued a warning to take extra precautions on the road, saying that “some Cairns roads have been interrupted by flooding, including Russell River Bridge at Clyde Rd and Mulgrave River at The Fisheries”.
“In Queensland, driving into floodwater is the number one cause of flood-related deaths. Even the most experienced drivers and highset cars can lose control quickly when they enter floodwaters,” the council said.
“Water can destroy your vehicle’s motors and the electrics, and it can take as little as 15cm of water for a car to lose traction and be swept away.”
The council have also warned residents to avoid “swollen” waterways that may develop as a result of the catchment already being saturated, saying they present a number of dangers including falling trees, fast currents and chemical or sewerage contamination.
The Disaster Management Unit is closely monitoring the conditions around Cairns but that residents should stay vigilant and informed.
“Please keep up to date with BoM warnings and assess (your) risk, especially in respect to overland flooding associated with heavy rainstorms, which can cause gutters and waterways to overflow into yards and houses,” the council said.
“Please report any issues with roads or drains via the My Cairns app or our customer service centre on 1300 69 22 47.”
For more information:
o Visit BoM for more information and updates.
o Go to the Cairns Disaster Dashboard for all warnings.
o Listen to ABC Far North at 801AM, 95.5FM or 106.7FM.
o Find out how to get ready for a flood here.
More Coverage
Originally published as Council closes popular swimming areas due to rain, urges residents to stay vigilant and informed
Funding cut a flat note for tourism
International tourists are desperate for more adventure options in Cairns, as the region’s premier tourism group prepares to have 70 per cent of its funding slashed on June 30.
Mareeba carving fork armed robber: “doomed to fail”
Mareeba father, Christopher Jamie Lee Teece, 33, has been sentenced to jail after admitting to an armed robbery at a Mareeba bottle shop with a carving fork and kitchen knife in a crime the court heard was “doomed to fail” and “planned, but not very well”.
How women’s health investment will benefit Far North
New federal government subsidies for care towards women’s health will be rolled from July 1, but not all services in the Far North suffering financially are guaranteed a boost.
Critical cancer centre’s ‘self-sustainability’ ambitions
A haven for cancer battlers in its final days of government funding is putting aside its financial concerns to steam ahead with a plan to keep its doors and much-needed services open.
Cardwell businesses call for help after floods and road closures
Flooding has cut parts of the Bruce Highway to traffic between Cardwell and Ingham, leaving small businesses to bare the brunt.
TMR explains snail’s pace road fix
TMR has blamed another extension of night shutdowns on “highly complex” geotechnical problems after the beleaguered mountain road was badly damaged during ex-TC Jasper in 2023.