Australia live news: flood evacuation warnings in NSW and Queensland as waters rise after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred deluge
NSW and Queensland flood emergency warnings issued
I’ve got a bit more information on the flooding here, from the NSW SES:
Significant flooding is occurring on the Clarence River, with emergency warnings advising people to shelter in place for people living on Carrs Island, Grafton and downstream on Harwood, Chatworth, Warregah and Goodwood Islands. Residents on these islands will be isolated until flood waters recede.
Along the Richmond River, residents at Bungawalbin have been advised it is too late to leave the area and to seek refuge at higher ground due to major flooding. Major flooding is also occurring at Coraki.
Very heavy rain has fallen overnight in Queensland and in the Tweed Valley. This rainfall has renewed flood levels across the region and is expected to last well across Monday in a number of places including Tumbulgum.
Further south, the Macleay River may reach moderate flood levels at Kempsey and Smithtown, with residents advised to prepare to evacuate. Isolations are also possible at Hat Head, Crescent Head and South West Rocks due to flood waters across roads.
A flood watch for minor flooding in the state’s north-west and central-west is in place.
Key events
Ben Smee
The rain has eased in Brisbane, but concern now centres on some of the city’s suburban creek catchments. Much of the flooding in 2022 was caused by these creeks overflowing.
There are emergency warnings for the Oxley, Enoggera and Gubberley creeks in the Brisbane council area, and several more in Logan and the Gold Coast.
Looking at Enogerra Creek, river heights from near the weir near Kelvin Grove Road show a huge spike that we observed yesterday.
We got another high tide at that same spot just after midnight this morning, and driving around it’s clear that the water has receded from a peak. In most places that seems to be below the 2022 flood level, but close. Flooding is happening in all the same places.
Emergency warnings issued this morning show authorities are worried what could happen at the next high tide. Water spilling from Enogerra Dam – now at 240% of its capacity – will continue to go into the system. The rain has eased somewhat, which could be a saving grace.
Man charged after alleged assault at NSW evacuation centre
In NSW, a man has been charged after an alleged assault at an evacuation centre.
In a statement, police said:
About 8pm yesterday, Sunday 9 March 2025, police were called to an evacuation centre in Dalley Street, Mullumbimby following reports of an assault.
On arrival, officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District were told two men had allegedly been involved in an altercation.
A 26-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for facial injuries before being taken to Byron Bay Hospital in a stable condition.
A 44-year-old man was arrested and taken to Byron Bay Police station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court today, Monday 10 March 2025.
Sarah Basford Canales
Welfare payments to rise on 20 March
A number of welfare support payments will increase from 20 March for around five million Australians.
Those receiving jobseeker payments over 22 and without children will get a $3.10 fortnightly increase to $789.90 after indexation comes into effect.
Couples on jobseeker will get an extra $2.80 per person in their fortnightly payment.
For an individual receiving the aged or disability support pensions, or a carers payment, the maximum fortnightly rate will increase by $4.60 to $1,149.
The rate increases by $7 a fortnight for each member of a pensioner couple to $866.60, or $1,732.20 combined.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, says the increases will “help ease some pressure” for recipients.
Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net. For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.
Advocacy groups and the government’s own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee have recommended the payments increase well beyond their current rates in response to rising housing and living costs.
The EIAC’s pre-budget report in April 2024 recommended jobseeker payments should be lifted to at least 90% of the aged pension rate.
The jobseeker base rate was raised by $40 a fortnight in Labor’s 2023 federal budget, coming into effect in September that year.
The EIAC’s report said the base rate’s boost was still not enough for many recipients to afford basic items and essentials.
Read more:
Flood waters in Woodburn, NSW
I’ve got some pics here from Woodburn NSW, taken yesterday afternoon.
The river is threatening the town with flood waters after heavy precipitation brought by the ex-cyclone.
Queensland power outages by LGA
I’ve got a bit more information on the power outages here in Queensland.
These numbers were from 10.30pm last night. By LGA we’ve got:
Brisbane City: 45,139. Gold Coast City: 77,232. Gympie Regional: 1. Ipswich City: 256. Lockyer Valley Regional: 112. Logan City: 30,399. City of Moreton Bay: 35,740. Noosa: 53. Redland City: 37,287. Scenic Rim Regional: 6190. Somerset Regional: 219. Sunshine Coast: 556.
Power out in Queensland’s Hervey Bay amid lashing from 300mm of rain yesterday
Hervey Bay has been hit hard by the weather – with a huge amount of debris still in the town.
Some schools are closed, homes and businesses are still without power and clean-up crews are on the ground. But it copped a beating yesterday with more than 300mm of rain.
The SES said it had received 1,000 calls in the Hervey Bay region over the weekend.
And I have some pics here from my colleague Ben Smee, who lives in Brissy and has these pictures of the flooding:
Albanese asked about coming poll
The PM is jumping around the networks – he is now speaking on Today. He’s been asked about the election and says:
I’m focused on helping Australians… I think governments should serve their full term. We’re governing and we’re governing in a way that’s completely put politics aside.
We’re just about helping people, because that’s what people expect. And that’s what they deserve.
Albanese says insurance companies will be held ‘to account’ as premiums rise
The PM is speaking on Sunrise. He has been asked about if insurance companies, which have put their premiums up, are ripping us all off:
We will certainly hold the insurance companies to account. This is a time where they need to do a bit of repair of their relationships with the Australian public by doing the right thing and making payments immediately.
For people who are eligible, that’s what people expect.
About 230,000 still without power in Queensland and NSW
While thousands are still facing the threat of floods, there are also around 230,000 people without power across the two states.
About 30 rescues took place across Queensland’s south-east and northern NSW on the weekend.
Authorities have said there are crews on the ground trying to restore power – but it can be a slow job because of the changing weather, debris and dangerous conditions.
I will bring you more info as we go along the morning.
