WATER MONITORING PROVES A LIFE SAVER… LITERALLY

Prompt advice from the Department of Natural Resources and Water has helped save around 7000 head of cattle from flood waters near Emerald.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today said his department’s online water monitoring information was proving invaluable to residents affected by flooding in Central Queensland.

"This up-to-the hour data is a lifesaver, literally," Mr Wallace said.

"In this particular situation, a department officer used the water monitoring data to provide timely advice to two farmers in the Tarturus Weir area who were concerned for their livestock.

"Acting on the water monitoring information, the farmers employed a heli-muster service to relocate 7000 head of cattle to safer ground.

"Just hours later, the flood waters inundated the area where the cattle had been."

Mr Wallace said all Queenslanders could access the water monitoring data.

"The website has recently been upgraded to allow public access to the latest statistics on water monitoring," he said.

"The site offers immediate information from the department’s network of about 400 monitoring stations state-wide. This information is proving crucial in an area that’s experiencing its worst flood on record."

Media enquiries: Clare Gillic, Minister’s Office, 3896 3688.