Deluge takes toll on hinterland roads and sports clubs

Landslips and washouts from torrential rain have damaged or disrupted roads,  bridges, culverts, paths and drains throughout the hinterland. 

Volunteers sprung in to action on the weekend as cleanup efforts began in earnest over the region. 

Nambour received 839mm rain this February, well above the February average of 259mm. Heaviest rain was on Wednesday  23rd (217mm), Saturday 26th (267mm) and Sunday 27th (124mm). February is traditionally the wettest month of the year for Nambour. 

However, last year only 64mm fell in February. March average rainfall in Nambour is 228mm.  

Nambour had received 124mm of rain for the first seven days of March until Monday March 7. 

The average for the whole of March is 132mm. 

Last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Division 5 Cr Winston Johnston visited almost every rural road in his  Division. 

“Town streets and parks have been easier for Council employees to access promptly, therefore my focus was on all non-urban areas,” Cr Johnston said.

Cr Johnston said damage was significant in some areas and all gravel roads would require maintenance, regravelling and/or grading over the coming months. 

“Due to the great work of Council road gangs, roads where there are landslips have now been either reopened or closed to traffic where there is an alternate access road. 

“Local farmers and plant operators as well as Council’s works teams have been outstanding in working long days and weekends to repair or make safe the worst damaged areas. Thank you also to the huge number of residents who have assisted friends, neighbours and our community throughout and following this weather emergency.”

Cr Johnston urged patience while repair work was being carried out according to priorities. 

“We follow a system of dealing with providing road access and repairing the worst damaged areas first. In the mean time, please travel according to the current condition of the road and be courteous to other road users.”

He said all damage would be repaired in due course. However if you require urgent assistance, you can phone him on 0429 076 066.