Maryborough business owners prepare for possible second flood

Business owners in Maryborough are bracing for a possible second flood as heavy rain continues across the Wide Bay, and the Mary River rises.

A sense of deja vu is being felt by many business owners in Maryborough’s CBD as they brace for another possible major flood this weekend.

It comes just a month after some businesses were inundated when a gate closing off the stormwater system failed, letting water in under the levee designed to protect the CBD in January.

It led to a mammoth Plan B effort which saw council crews work through the night with diesel pumps to prevent severe inundation.

Kent St business owners Austin Brixton and Ann Cleary are still cleaning up after January’s flood, which inundated their business.

Kent St business owners Austin Brixton and Ann Cleary are still cleaning up after January’s flood, which inundated their business. Photo: Robyne Cuerel

The basement under their business, The Vine, was fully flooded when the water peaked just under 10m after a deluge from ex-tropical cyclone Seth hit the Wide Bay.

Ms Cleary said the tenants had needed to move out of the business in the wake of the damage caused in January.

“Obviously today we’re pretty worried,” she said.

A new business owner, Kasey Hudson, was also at her premises in Kent St.

She has emptied her shop, Maison de la Mor Designs, in case of flooding.

Ms Hudson said she was feeling “a little anxious” as heavy rain continues to fall across the Wide Bay.

New business owner, Kasey Hudson, was also at her premises in Kent St preparing for a possible flood. Photo: Robyne Cuerel

“We’ve just opened the shop after we cleaned up from the last one,” she said.

“Now we get to do it all again.”

Ms Hudson had been open for not quite four weeks, but had already felt the brunt of the turbulent weather events.

Business owners are facing the unknown, with current predictions indicating a moderate flood is likely and a major flood is possible.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said a temporary fix was in place for the stormwater gate, meaning the levee would be able to be assembled in the event of a major flood inundating the CBD.

Originally published as Maryborough business owners prepare for possible second flood