Call for public access to river flood cams at dangerous Cape crossings

A flood watch recently impacting Cape York has Weipa locals concerned about dangerous river crossings calling for public access to flood camera vision currently restricted by the state.

A FLOOD watch recently impacting large parts of Cape York has Weipa locals concerned about dangerous river crossings calling for public access to flood camera vision currently restricted by the state government.

An online petition calling for access to images produced by river height cameras after going live late last week already has more than 400 signatories.

Weipa health worker and petition organiser Tracy Sekac said in the interests of safety the public ought to have access to potentially lifesaving information.

Myall Creek flooded on the Peninsula Development Road, south of Weipa. Photo: Senior Constable Megan

“It makes you think, if people can see all the ones around Cairns why can’t we see the ones on the PDR,” she said.

“I can’t see it being a connectivity issue, I am sure that they could boost it to allow other people log in.”

Currently a password is required to access the web page hosting the camera feed information which are owned and maintained by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Coen police Senior Constable Ben Lloyd rescuing two five-week old puppies from floodwaters at Archer River.

A select few in Weipa have access including those involved with Local Disaster Management Groups but everyone else is locked out.

Weipa Town Authority chair Michael Rowland believed those calling for public access to the cameras had a good point.

“I kind of agree with people that want to check out what’s happening,” he said

“It’s a TMR site that the only allows certain people access. I don’t know why they don’t publish it.”

A removalist truck was the third vehicle to swept off the causeway at the Archer River north of Coen during the 2019 wet season.

Ms Sekac said currently Weipa locals leaving town had to chance a safe crossing at Myall Creek but if flood cam access was permitted people could delay their trip until it was safe.

She said lives could be saved at the notorious Archer River north of Coen.

Coen police Sergeant David McCarthy and Senior Constable Carey Allen in pursuit of a man after he allegedly tried to drive through flood waters at Archer River.

“We have people swept off at the Archer River every year, you can be waiting for hours and people get impatient and cross, even when it’s dangerous,” she said.

“If you can see the height before you leave you are less likely to head off and take the risk.” TMR have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Call for public access to river flood cams at dangerous Cape crossings