Queensland floods as it happened: Lockyer Valley, Ipswich inundated as effects of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred linger

A Brisbane woman has been charged after allegedly driving into floodwater yesterday and becoming stuck in her car.

Police say the 58-year-old Enoggera woman approached Newmarket Road when she completed a U-turn, then turned back toward the floodwater, and drove through.

Her vehicle then became submerged and lifted from the road.

The woman was charged with one count of driving without due care and attention, and was scheduled to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on April 14.

Police also released vision of several other motorists they rescued in recent days, showing people stuck in rushing floodwater.

Thank you for reading our live coverage of the news today, as floodwater began to recede in catchments across the south-eastern corner of Queensland and residents continued to count the cost of damage from Cyclone Alfred.

If you’re just catching up, here are some of today’s key moments:

• The Brisbane River burst its banks, spilling across footpaths, but it failed to reach the minor flood level in the inner city at high tide.
• High winds brought knocked koalas out of trees, while other animals such as kangaroos were caught in floodwater and wildlife rescue groups reported an influx of injured native fauna.
• After four days of shutdowns, more than 100 Queensland schools were still listed as unsafe, with principals and government building inspectors yet to give them the all clear.
• Raj Sharma was left with $17 and his life in disarray when Cyclone Yasi tore through Far North Queensland in 2011. This is his message to Alfred’s victims.
• With nowhere to go, a handful of squatters in Lismore turned a street of condemned government-owned homes into a community. Now Chris Minns has vowed to demolish the buildings.

We’ll return to live coverage of news around the city tomorrow, so please join us again.

Businesses along the Gold Coast are picking up the pieces after a hairy – and costly – few days as wild weather forced many to close their doors for four days.

Staff at Winey Cow, a cafe just 50 metres from the Surfers Paradise foreshore, closed during the worst of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred and dealt with ankle deep floodwater and persistent dripping from the ceiling during the closure.

Manager Bonnie Cullen said the Winey Cow lost tens of thousands of dollars.Credit: Justin McManus

Manager Bonnie Cullen said the business lost tens of thousands of dollars. They were unable to access sandbags and resorted to using tea towels in a futile effort to battle the rising waters that entered the ground floor of the cafe.

“With our location, being close to the water, we were completely flooded out. It was coming in from everywhere and anywhere, whether it was the doors, through the roof,” she said.

Today is the first day the business has resumed full service. Cullen says some of her young staff live in houses that have had no power for several days, and have used the cafe’s upstairs rooms to study. Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus remains closed but will reopen tomorrow.

“We’re like a hostel at the moment,” Cullen said.

With the worst of the wild weather now over, Sunshine Coast Council has advice for what people can do with any sandbags they used during the disaster.

“We know that many people have unused SES sandbags and we are calling on our community to put them to work,” said Mayor Rosanna Natoli.

Residents pick up sandbags at the Maroochydore Cricket Club on the Sunshine Coast last Thursday.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

“When the time comes to dispose of sandbags, please use the sand to top dress your lawn then place the bag in your general waste bin or keep it handy for future use. The bags may last up to 12 months.”

Almost 200,000 sandbags were distributed on the Sunshine Coast alone ahead of Cyclone Alfred’s arrival.

Seqwater will begin controlled flood releases from Wivenhoe Dam tonight, after the heavy rain caused by ex-cyclone Alfred.

Seqwater chief executive Emma Thomas said Wivenhoe Dam levels had today “reached the trigger” for the controlled releases.

Wivenhoe Dam, Brisbane’s main defence against flooding.Credit: Getty Images

“We have been holding back that water while we’ve had a lot of water in the Bremer and Lockyer creeks,” she said.

Thomas said releasing the water would not cause any new flooding, but would provide more flood mitigation capacity for any shift in the weather.

Twin Bridges, Savages Crossing, Burton’s Bridge and Colleges Crossing are already flooded.

Kholo Bridge is expected to be inundated by flows from Lockyer Creek before the Wivenhoe releases.

While only two small treatment plants are offline, Thomas said Seqwater was aware some pre-treated water appeared “chocolately” but said the water pumped to households was safe to drink.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called on Australians to avoid cancelling any holiday bookings to Queensland as it would be “devastating” for small businesses.

Speaking from the Gold Coast after meeting members of the community affected by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, Dutton gave appreciation for the work they have done.

Surfers Paradise beach remains closed for swimming.Credit: Justin McManus

“For a tourism city like the Gold Coast, it’s important that people hear the message that the Gold Coast is really open for business again, and to talk about your Easter bookings and have that discussion with your family and ultimately with the company that can make the booking for you as well,” he said.

“I want to say thank you very much to the SES workers, to the council workers, to the emergency service workers otherwise that we’ve met with this morning.”

Brisbane community clubs impacted by flooding or debris can now apply for support payments from the council, as clean-up efforts begin across the city this week.

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the $7500 payment would support a range of council community facilities “so they can reopen for residents as soon as possible”.

“I know our community will come together to complete the clean-up efforts, and we’re going to help with the bill,” he said.

It came after Schrinner called for Brisbane residents to activate a “ute army” by contacting their local councillor to offer help clearing rubbish and debris.

Labor opposition leader Jared Cassidy has accused Schrinner of seeking help from ratepayers because the council did not have a plan.

More than 22,000 insurance claims have already been lodged for flood and cyclone damage.

In Queensland, 20,665 claims have now been lodged, most for home policies, while the number of claims from northern NSW is expected to rise over the coming days.

“Claim numbers are rising daily with people assessing the damage to their properties and businesses,” said Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall.

“Today’s spike in claims was very much expected and in line with this stage in the recovery process.”

Buses are running on a Sunday timetable today, which disrupted the morning commute, but on Wednesday will be back to normal.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said extra services would be running on busy routes for the afternoon commute before regular timetables resumed on Wednesday.

“Each day we have been working to deliver more services until our bus network is back to normal,” Schrinner said, noting that people should continue to refer to the Translink website for updates.

Buses are set to return to normal timetables on Wednesday.Credit: Tammy Law

“It was a tremendous effort from our drivers to have buses running in Brisbane while there were no rail services and limited buses in other parts of south-east Queensland.

“To be able to return to full bus services so quickly is a result of getting prepared and then having a plan to fast-track our recovery.

“I want to thank residents for their patience while we did our best to get buses back up and running again to keep Brisbane moving.”

Parking inspectors will also be out in force on Wednesday to clear the way for traffic.

Ticketmaster has responded to fan complaints regarding refunds for veteran UK band New Order’s Riverstage concert tonight.

Despite paying extra for refundable tickets, many fans have said on social media they have been told they do not meet the criteria for a refund even though their travel plans have been affected by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

New Order playing at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday.Credit: Martin Philbey

Ticketholder Jane Rigby-White said she had bought secure (refundable) tickets through Ticketmaster but after the severe weather hit South East Queensland and northern NSW, she realised attending the concert with her disabled daughter would be too difficult.

She also joined calls for the event to be rescheduled.

“My daughter, who has physical disabilities, was supposed to be coming with me but she is in northern NSW and unable to get to Brisbane for the event,” Rigby-White told Brisbane Times.

“So many people have been adversely impacted by the weather events and unable to get to the concert.

“A call to cancel the concert would have been in the interest of public safety.”

A Ticketmaster spokesperson said that as transport and parking was available, the show would go ahead.

“The venue and promoter have confirmed that New Order will go ahead as planned at Riverstage, and fans are ensured that transport and parking will be made available for all attendees,” they said.

“Fans can reach out to the promoter with any further concerns.”