Floodwater barriers erected at Charleville; helicopter en route
Published Saturday, 19 January, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
Two temporary levees erected at Charleville overnight to prevent potential major flooding of the Warrego River inundating the western Queensland town.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the temporary levees - one 300 metres and the other 75 metres - were erected by 5am today an inspiring cooperative effort.
"With the temporary levees in place, it is now a waiting game to see what water flows downstream to Charleville and how much more rain falls," Mr Roberts said.
"Local State Emergency Service (SES) members, council staff and community volunteers worked through the night with the guidance of New Zealand flood response experts and NSW SES members."
"The barriers were delivered by two Australian Defence Force Hercules from NSW to Charleville late last night."
"A crowd of locals at the airport welcomed their arrival. At a time when locals have been uncertain about what the heavens have in store, there was no apprehension about the Hercules coming into the the Charleville night sky."
"I pay tribute to the Federal Government and the ADF for its support and its swift action."
Mr Roberts said the pallets for the barriers were provided and transported by CHEP pallets.
"This is a very generous contribution. The pallets are essential for the temporary barriers to work. They were delivered from Toowoomba by road train last night," said.
Mr Roberts, who was Born and spent his childhood at Charleville, said the 75-metre unfinished section of the levee was in front of his family's former home.
"As a kid, I experienced the major flood in 1963. Our house was on the banks of the Warrego. I understand how nervous residents are particularly after significant floods in 1990 and 1997," he said.
Today, the Queensland Government's newest emergency rescue helicopter will fly from Brisbane to Charleville.
The AgustaWestland-139 helicopter based at Archerfield (Brisbane) has yet to be formally commissioned for emergency rescue. However, its greater size, speed (290km per hour) and range (840km) makes it ideal for re-supply in these floods.
The helicopter will be used to undertake re-supply of outlying properties isolated by floodwaters as well as an aerial inspection of water flows upstream.
19 January 2008 (6:30am)
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the temporary levees - one 300 metres and the other 75 metres - were erected by 5am today an inspiring cooperative effort.
"With the temporary levees in place, it is now a waiting game to see what water flows downstream to Charleville and how much more rain falls," Mr Roberts said.
"Local State Emergency Service (SES) members, council staff and community volunteers worked through the night with the guidance of New Zealand flood response experts and NSW SES members."
"The barriers were delivered by two Australian Defence Force Hercules from NSW to Charleville late last night."
"A crowd of locals at the airport welcomed their arrival. At a time when locals have been uncertain about what the heavens have in store, there was no apprehension about the Hercules coming into the the Charleville night sky."
"I pay tribute to the Federal Government and the ADF for its support and its swift action."
Mr Roberts said the pallets for the barriers were provided and transported by CHEP pallets.
"This is a very generous contribution. The pallets are essential for the temporary barriers to work. They were delivered from Toowoomba by road train last night," said.
Mr Roberts, who was Born and spent his childhood at Charleville, said the 75-metre unfinished section of the levee was in front of his family's former home.
"As a kid, I experienced the major flood in 1963. Our house was on the banks of the Warrego. I understand how nervous residents are particularly after significant floods in 1990 and 1997," he said.
Today, the Queensland Government's newest emergency rescue helicopter will fly from Brisbane to Charleville.
The AgustaWestland-139 helicopter based at Archerfield (Brisbane) has yet to be formally commissioned for emergency rescue. However, its greater size, speed (290km per hour) and range (840km) makes it ideal for re-supply in these floods.
The helicopter will be used to undertake re-supply of outlying properties isolated by floodwaters as well as an aerial inspection of water flows upstream.
19 January 2008 (6:30am)
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350