Cooby Dam spilling; no immediate risk to Oakey town

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is advising there is no immediate risk to Oakey township from water spilling over the Cooby Dam wall. Council is monitoring the situation.

TRC Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) chair, Mayor Paul Antonio, said a standard emergency alert for a Flood Watch and Act notification was issued this morning (May 12) at the request of the Local Disaster Coordination Centre.

“Council’s Water Operations centre is monitoring the Region’s three dams around the clock and will provide updates as required,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Council today (May 12) started contacting property owners who are directly downstream of Cooby Dam.

“We are continuing to update these residents in line with our emergency action plan, along with residents downstream of Cressbrook Dam.

“There is no imminent threat to Oakey township. Council will continue to issue advice that directly concerns the Oakey community if the situation changes.

“Water started flowing over the Cooby Dam spillway crest late this morning. (10mm over the spillway crest with a slow rate of rise). Other dams: Cressbrook Dam: (1.02 metres over the spillway crest; rate of rise is approximately 50mm per hour. Perseverance Dam: (0.59m over the spillway crest; rising around 20mm per hour.)

“We are monitoring rainfall readings and forecasts. Rainfall in the catchments will influence further inflows to our dams.

“Please avoid travelling if possible and always heed the simple message; ‘If it’s flooded, forget it’,” Mayor Antonio said.

In a life-threatening emergency call 000 and for emergency flood or storm assistance, call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.

Listen to ABC Radio for relevant disaster information updates and warnings.

Advice about the current event will be notified at http://disaster.tr.qld.gov.au/ including updates on alerts, road closures and other disaster management information.

For Bureau of Meteorology updates and warning, please visit, http://www.bom.gov.au/