Calls to cut south-east Queensland water use as Wivenhoe Dam hits its lowest level in a decade
TueTuesday 9
updated
TueTuesday 9
Hopes are being pinned on autumn rain to top up water supplies in Wivenhoe Dam.
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South-east Queensland s largest dam has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade, prompting a call for residents to reduce their water consumption.
Key points:
Dams that supply south-east Queensland s drinking water are around half full
If they remain low, water restrictions could be considered later this year
On Tuesday, Wivenhoe Dam, west of Brisbane, was at 36.2 per cent capacity, the lowest level since 2009, according to Mike Foster, from water authority Seqwater.
Storms swirl across south-east Queensland, cutting power and causing flash flooding
Posted
TueTuesday 2
updated
TueTuesday 2
MarMarch 2021 at 10:00am
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A wild storm has battered south-east Queensland, blacking out nearly 18,000 homes and causing flash flooding that has left vehicles stranded.
The severe storm cell dumped heavy rain in and around Brisbane.
Greenbank, south of Brisbane, had more than 70 millimetres in the 30 minutes to 5:00pm.
Michelton recorded 61mm in 30 minutes.
Afternoon storm clouds rumble across Brisbane.
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The Queensland government and its dam operator Sunwater will pay $440million to compensate flood victims of the 2011 Wivenhoe Dam disaster.
State-owned operators Sunwater and Seqwater faced a class action lawsuit in 2019 following the floods in southeast Queensland.
About 23,000 homes were hit by flood waters, which inspired a clean up effort from volunteers known as the Mud Army .
A hydrology report commissioned by the Insurance Council of Australia found that water was released from Wivenhoe Dam during the heavy rainfall, which raised levels in the Brisbane River by as much as 10 metres.
The Queensland government and dam operator Sunwater will pay $440million to compensate flood-victims of the 2011 Wivenhoe Dam (pictured) disaster
Brisbane 2011 flood victims win $440 million in class action partial settlement over operation of Wivenhoe Dam
By state political reporter Rachel Riga, staff
Posted
FriFriday 26
updated
FriFriday 26
FebFebruary 2021 at 2:44am
Water pours from a floodgate at Wivenhoe Dam, north-west of Brisbane days after the 2011 flood.
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Victims of the 2011 Brisbane floods will be paid $440 million in compensation from a class action against the Queensland government and Sunwater, in a partial settlement over the operation of the Wivenhoe Dam, north-west of Brisbane.
The historic settlement covers 50 per cent of the $880 million liability for damages.
State-owned dam operator Seqwater owes the remainder but is appealing against the payout, with a hearing set down for May.