Greater Maryborough

Evacuation Information

The primary role of the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) with regards to the management of evacuees is to provide safe, temporary accommodation for a short period until a threat has passed.

The first preference is for people to ‘shelter-in-place’ – stay where you are – while this is the preferred option, it may not be possible due to the type of disaster occurring (i.e. approaching bushfire). If you are required to evacuate, the second preference is for people to leave the impacted area and shelter with friends and family (if safe to do so).

Should there be a need to open an evacuation centre the Local Disaster Management Group will ensure that there is ample notice provided of where such a centre will be and the best route to take.

You can also opt in to receive notifications via the Fraser Coast Disaster Dashboard which will be issued to areas required to evacuate.

Mary River at Maryborough

The Mary River catchment covers an area of over 7000 square kilometres.

The headwaters of the Mary are located in high rainfall areas around Maleny and Mapleton. 

At Gympie, most floods, nearly 80%, have occurred between December and April.  During this period, heavy rainfall in the headwaters areas is likely to cause major flooding in the Mary River at Gympie. Floods at Maryborough are typically caused by heavy rainfalls particularly over the upper catchment but it is possible that very heavy rainfalls in the catchment below Gympie may cause appreciable rises in the lower reaches of the river. Flooding causes extensive rural and property damage in the Mary River Valley. Read more about the Flood Warning System for the Mary River.

Monitoring the Mary River

There are a number of rain and river gauges along the Mary River and Tinana Creek which give real time readings on water levels. These can be accessed through the Bureau of Meteorology website under Rain and River Data - Latest River Heights for the Coochin Creek, Sunshine Coast Rivers, Mary River and tributaries

The Portside Gauge is located on Macalister Street at the Portside precinct near the public toilets. 

Latest River Heights for Mary R at Portside

• LAMINGTON BRIDGE will close from approx 4.5m - Please see latest river heights for Mary River at Portside

• GRANVILLE BRIDGE will close from approx 5.7m - Please see latest river heights for Mary River at Portside

Flood Cameras

Council has installed flood cameras across the region to give the community another tool to use to create awareness. There are three cameras located in Maryborough and can be access via the Fraser Coast Disaster Dashboard by ticking the Flood Camera Layer on the map.

Flood Classifications

 

Inundation levels Maryborough

Minor Flooding : Causes inconvenience. Low-lying areas next to watercourses are inundated. Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerged. In urban areas inundation may affect some backyards and buildings below the floor level as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. In rural areas removal of stock and equipment may be required.

Moderate Flooding : In addition to the above, the area of inundation is more substantial. Main traffic routes may be affected. Some buildings may be affected above the floor level. Evacuation of flood affected areas may be required. In rural areas removal of stock is required.

Major Flooding : In addition to the above, extensive rural areas and/or urban areas are inundated. Many buildings may be affected above the floor level. Properties and towns are likely to be isolated and major rail and traffic routes closed. Evacuation of flood affected areas may be required. Utility services may be impacted.   

The following information is a guide to inundation levels compared to historical floods.

Are you Prepared for Flood?

Download Booklet

It is necessary to remain alert and continually monitor the Fraser Coast Regional Council website, Councils Disaster dashboard and disaster management Facebook site as well as the Bureau of Meteorology and media outlets.

To assist you to counter such events and protect yourself and your family, this information booklet has been produced as a local guide for the Maryborough area and as a source of information in regard to flood heights and how they affect residential areas. Fraser Coast Regional Council is committed to minimising the adverse effects through comprehensive planning, preparation, managing effective response and recovery.

Paramount to this is having the community Get Ready and Be Prepared. Your active preparation and helping your family, neighbours and working with others through community connectedness with a shared sense of responsibility is the key to our resilience, survival and collective ability to recover.

Granville is an eastern suburb of Maryborough, separated from the city by the Mary River. When the Mary River floods, Granville can be isolated for several days so it is important for Granville residents to be prepared and monitor the conditions.

Heavy rainfall in the Tinana Creek catchment can intensify the flow of floodwaters from the Mary River. This may cause extensive flooding on the low lying farmland area immediately opposite the creek junction.  This will cause floodwaters to travel across Tiger Street, Kent Street and exit in the vicinity of the Maryborough Marina precinct. The flooding of Kent Street minimises the access to Granville Bridge.  

The Cooloola Coast Road leading out of Granville is an extension of Cambridge Street changing to Boonooroo Road and ultimately to Cooloola Coast Road.  There are a number of areas that are subject to inundation along this roadway which can prohibit access/egress to and from the coastal communities and the rural neighbourhood settlement areas of Little Tinana and Bidwill. 

• 5.7m Mary River at Portside - Access to Granville Bridge will close  due to flooding in Tiger, Kent and Guava Streets
• 8.1m Mary River at Portside Granville Bridge is inundated
• 8.3m Mary River at Portside Little Tinana Creek on Cooloola Coast Road inundated
• Search Disaster Management Mapping  - Flood Prediction Maryborough  (The information and spatial data contained on this page is provided as a guide for Disaster Management purposes only and is strictly not intended to be used for property risk assessment.)

It may take several days for the water to recede, depending on conditions so it is important you are prepared if you decide to stay at home. Be Prepared - Get Ready!

Granville Bridge Flood Camera

Council has installed flood cameras across the region to give the community another tool to use to create awareness. There is a camera showing the Granville Bridge and can be located by accessing the flood camera layer in the map on the Disaster Dashboard.

Tinana is on the south-western bank of the Mary River, opposite the town of Maryborough. 

Heavy rainfall in the Tinana Creek catchment can intensify the flow of floodwaters from the Mary River. Nine creeks flow into Tinana Creek and runs from Gympie through the forestry on to Teddington where there is a weir, and through to the Mary River at Bidwill.

The Lamington Bridge

• 4.5m Mary River at Portside - Lamington Bridge closed and railing removal
• 5.5m Mary River at Portside - Lamington Bridge deck inundation
• Search Disaster Management Mapping  - Flood Prediction Maryborough  (The information and spatial data contained on this page is provided as a guide for Disaster Management purposes only and is strictly not intended to be used for property risk assessment.)

It may take several days for the water to recede, depending on conditions so it is important you are prepared if you decide to stay at home. Be Prepared - Get Ready!

Lamington Bridge Flood Camera

Council has installed flood cameras across the region to give the community another tool to use to create awareness. There is a camera showing the Lamington Bridge and can be located by accessing the flood camera layer in the map on the Disaster Dashboard.

The Local Disaster Management Group has recognised the need to remain in contact with the communities that may become isolated, before, during and after disaster events, to keep them informed and to understand their needs. 

The Community Resilience Network has been established in locations throughout the Fraser Coast local government area.  These committees have specific roles in assisting the Fraser Coast Local Disaster Management Group in the following matters:

• Helping to build community resilience by spreading the disaster awareness message so people are prepared
• Being the eyes and ears on the ground and sending information back to the Local Disaster Coordination Centre during an event
• Being involved in the community’s recovery process.

Granville Hockey Club

Granville Hockey Club are part of the Community Resilience Network and assist Council before, during and after flooding at Granville. The Hockey Grounds and the Community Hall may be used by emergency service to assist residents of Granville during floods.

Aldershot Community Assoc. Inc

Aldershot Community Assoc. Inc are part of the Community Resilience Network to build resilience within their community and assist Council during disaster events.

For further information and contacts on the Community Resilience Network, please contact Council's Disaster Management Unit on 1300794929.