29 June 2012

Acts give birth to "Friends of the Flood" story

Children’s book author Ryll Paul, with siblings Mahlania and
Zachariah Tia, talks about Friends of the Flood
at the Ipswich Library yesterday.

AUSTRALIAN predators are portrayed as compassionate individuals in the children's book Friends of the Flood.

An owl is shown keeping a baby possum warm, and a goanna cuddles a lorikeet.

Author "Nana" Ryll Paul, of Forest Lake, was inspired to write the book after seeing a photo of a snake carrying a frog on its back in floodwaters last year.

"I just thought, how wonderful and uplifting it was," Ms Paul said.

"This co-operation between two creatures who would not normally help one another was also shown by humans."


29.6.12

2011 Flood Update: Giant rats are back in Goodna




Long term Goodna resident Keiron Butler with his rat bait at
his home. He spends $12 a week on baits to try to keep
the rodents at bay.



There are reports giant rats the size of bandicootsare back in Goodna.

Following the floods last year, a plague of rats engulfed the suburb with the Brisbane City Council sending in fox terriers to eradicate them.

At the time Goodna resident and greyhound trainer Keiron Butler raised the alarm that the oversized rodents were on the rampage.

But they were not given the knock-out blow.

"We've still got a plague of them. They are as big as bandicoots," Mr Butler said.

"They come up from the river. They are looking for warm places and there is no-one living in some of the houses here so rats live there. The landlords should be made to put out baits to solve this problem.

"We are trying our best to bait them. I am going through two packets a week which is eight square blocks. All up, I am going through an average of $12 a week in baits which is a bit of money for a pensioner.

"We used to get bandicoots on the rail line when the old trains were there but now they keep it clean so we don't get them.

"At first I thought the rats were bandicoots, they are that big. We've just got to keep baiting them. I suggest that everyone in the area keeps doing that because they carry a lot of disease and vermin."

Mr Butler showed the QT the large bait blocks he sets in traps. The rats eat them whole and keep coming back for more.

The trainer is concerned for his dogs, which chase the rats but he is worried if they catch them the baits will harm them.

Councillor Paul Tully has fielded calls from residents concerned about the ravenous rodents and said they were "a health issue".

"With the colder weather they are seeking refuge in and around people's houses," he said.

"We still have overgrown properties with absentee landlords. We've also got the river bank, the creek bank and the railway through the middle of Goodna.

"There are a lot of vegetation areas where these bloody rats can live... and the big bastards are back. Brisbane (City Council) lent us their rat-catching dogs last year which put a dent in the population, but they are just very hard to eradicate."

29.6.12
 

28 June 2012

Hundreds at Brisbane River flood class action meeting

Brisbane River flood at Goodna
DOWNSTREAM residents and business-owners, hit hard by last year's historic flood deluge, have thrown their support behind a possible class action against the State Government.

Brisbane-based firm Maurice Blackburn and litigation funder IMF Australia are investigating a claim with Queensland's flood victims over actions of the Wivenhoe Dam operators between January 7 and 12 last year.

The investigation is focused on whether the State Government and the flood operations engineers breached any duty of care by not causing greater releases of water earlier in the flood event, which could have reduced peak release rates and peak flood levels.

Hundreds of people turned out to meetings in Brisbane on Sunday and Monday regarding the progress of the class action.

A majority of the crowd was residents and business owners from flood affected areas of Ipswich, Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley.

The class action alleges the Wivenhoe Dam operators waited too long to release water and failed to protect businesses and landowners.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers principal Damian Scattini said the vast majority of people who attended the meetings had joined forces.

The firm had engaged experts to assess aspects of the claim and they were due to provide response in July.

"We will report back by the end of July on whether we will proceed with our action, and I expect we will," he said.

"It is a big effort but it is very important case."

About 3000 people have signed up to the class action.

www.TheSatellite.com.au
'
25.6.12

25 June 2012

2011 Flood Claim: Wivenhoe class-action lawsuit relies on dam experts

Brisbane River flood January 2011
FIRMS mounting a class-action lawsuit against the Queensland Government have spent $1 million on experts to prove Wivenhoe Dam operators were negligent in flooding thousands of homes and businesses last year.

Several hundred flood victims turned out for public meetings in Brisbane yesterday and today as law firm Maurice Blackburn and litigation funder IMF Australia mapped out their strategy for the suit.

Maurice Blackburn partner Damian Scattini told a packed crowd at Indooroopilly Bowls Club that "overconfident" dam operators failed to follow their manual or monitor the weather properly in the lead-up to the flood.

Three US-based experts in dam and hydro-dynamics are preparing detailed reports and modelling that will demonstrate much of the flood damage was caused by late releases that could have avoided with more prudent management.

About 3400 people have already signed for the "no win, no pay" suit, which potentially could cost the state more than $1 billion.

The experts' modelling will show which areas would not have flooded or would have suffered substantially less damage if the dam operators had acted differently.

People with properties that would have been damaged no matter what the dam operators did will not be represented in the class action, which is likely to be filed in Queensland.

The class action will seek only actual damages not "pain and suffering" and compensation received from other sources might be deducted from the claims, Mr Scattini said. He confirmed the state was building a legal war chest and firming its legal position.

"I'm sure they'll find money to fight us," he said.

The state's inquiry into the floods provided "useful sworn testimony" for the lawsuit, with dam operators "in thick mud at the moment".

He doubted the state would pass legislation to limit a court payout.

Only a handful of the 200-plus people at the meeting raised their hands when asked if they had been taken care of by their insurance companies.

www.CourierMail.com.au

25.6.12

24 June 2012

Brisbane River flood victims mass for dam lawsuit

Flood victims meet at Indooroopily Bowls Club.

THERE was standing room only and some were turned away as Brisbane flood victims gathered today to discuss a possible class-action lawsuit against the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam.

Lawyers rallied support in the Brisbane suburbs of Indooroopilly and Yeerongpilly for a class-action lawsuit against the state dam operators for failing to protect homeowners and businesses during the 2011 flood, a move that could result in more than $1 billion in compensation payouts if successful.

Many more than 200 people attended, and half of them were standing in the crowded hall at the Indooroopilly Bowls Club.

Maurice Blackburn lawyers, backed litigation funder IMP Australia, have already signed up 3000 flood victims and say it is "very likely" a lawsuit will be filed, as early as the end of July.

Hundreds of homeowners and business owners who lost millions of dollars when flood waters were released from the dam attended the meetings at the Indooroopilly Bowls Club and Brisbane Golf Club today.

Two other meetings are scheduled tomorrow in Acacia Ridge and South Brisbane.

The meetings were touted as information sessions to inform people about independent investigations conducted by the law firm as it builds its negligence case against dam operators for allegedly failing in their duty of care to prompt a finding of negligence against the state.

Maurice Blackburn has not tipped which court it will file a suit in, or how much in damages would be sought. But previous estimates have placed damages above the $1 billion mark.

The government, facing a budget crisis, is taking a more hard line stand against litigants.

Premier Campbell Newman, who pledged before the election he would not force people into court to get fair treatment if they felt they deserved compensation, now says claims are a "legal matter" he won't comment on.

He says the government's dam inquiry made no adverse findings against Seqwater, the dam operators.

But Maurice Blackburn says there are negative findings, and its experts were stunned at how poorly the dam was managed, comparing the tragedy to missteps that led to the Titanic disaster.

There is a precedent in the US for flood victims using a class action suit to win millions of dollars in compensation from negligent dam operators.

Four hundred flood victims in Oklahoma joined forces in a 15-year battle against the Grand River Dam Authority before winning a major settle three years ago.

Maurice Blackburn said a class action suit they filed following the Victorian bushfires is heading to trial.


COMMENT: Premier Campbell Newman's claim that the Floods Commission made "no adverse findings" against the Wivenhoe Dam operator Seqwater shows that he is either living in Cuckoo Land or hasn't read the Commission's final report.  The Commission found that the dam had NOT been operated in accordance with the dam Operating Manual from 8am on Saturday 8 January 2011 and moreover, if it had been operated in accordance with the manual, downstream flooding in Ipswich and Brisbane would have been lower.  In addition, the Commissioner Cate Holmes referred three Seqwater dam engineers to the CMC to investigate their possible official and criminal misconduct.  If Campbell Newman really believes that the final report does not specifically contain any "adverse findings" against Seqwater, he is guilty of the most-disgraceful cover-up and political spin by any Premier since the Queensland Parliament was established in 1859.

24.6.12

2011 Brisbane and Ipswich Flood: Flood victims meet ahead of class action law suit against Wivenhoe Dam operators

Flood victims gather to hear the latest on the proposed
class action by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

Hundreds of angry flood victims have met with lawyers
to discuss a class action against the Queensland Government.
Maurice Blackburn lawyers principal Damian Scattini addresses the
crowd at a public meeting for a proposed flood class action against
the State of Queensland on behalf of thousands of victims of the 2011 floods.


THERE was standing room only and some were turned away as Brisbane flood victims gathered today to discuss a possible class-action lawsuit against the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam.

Lawyers rallied support in the Brisbane suburbs of Indooroopilly and Yeerongpilly for a class-action lawsuit against the state dam operators for failing to protect homeowners and businesses during the 2011 flood, a move that could result in more than $1 billion in compensation payouts if successful.

Many more than 200 people attended, and half of them were standing in the crowded hall at the Indooroopilly Bowls Club.

Maurice Blackburn lawyers, backed litigation funder IMP Australia, have already signed up 3000 flood victims and say it is "very likely" a lawsuit will be filed, as early as the end of July.

Hundreds of homeowners and business owners who lost millions of dollars when flood waters were released from the dam attended the meetings at the Indooroopilly Bowls Club and Brisbane Golf Club today. Two other meetings are scheduled tomorrow in Acacia Ridge and South Brisbane.

The meetings were touted as information sessions to inform people about independent investigations conducted by the law firm as it builds its negligence case against dam operators for allegedly failing in their duty of care to prompt a finding of negligence against the state.

Maurice Blackburn has not tipped which court it will file a suit in, or how much in damages would be sought. But previous estimates have placed damages above the $1 billion mark.

The government, facing a budget crisis, is taking a more hard line stand against litigants.

Premier Campbell Newman, who pledged before the election he would not force people into court to get fair treatment if they felt they deserved compensation, now says claims are a "legal matter" he won't comment on. He says the government's dam inquiry made no adverse findings against Seqwater, the dam operators.

But Maurice Blackburn says there are negative findings, and its experts were stunned at how poorly the dam was managed, comparing the tragedy to missteps that led to the Titanic disaster.

There is a precedent in the US for flood victims using a class action suit to win millions of dollars in compensation from negligent dam operators.

Four hundred flood victims in Oklahoma joined forces in a 15-year battle against the Grand River Dam Authority before winning a major settle three years ago.

Maurice Blackburn said a class action suit they filed following the Victorian bushfires is heading to trial.

www.CourierMail.com.au

24.6.12

Hundreds of flood victims attend Indooroopilly flood meeting


Flood victims meet at Indooroopilly Bowls Club to
 hear the latest from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
  and IMF (Australia) Litigation Funder

Hundreds of flood victims attended a meeting today at the Indooroopilly Bowls Club to hear the latest update on the planned class action against the State Government over the 2011 Brisbane River flood.
Damian Scattini from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and John Walker from IMF (Australia) Litigation Funders addressed the group, explaining that their experts' hydrology reports and findings should be available by July - August.

The meeting was extremely positive and residents were heartened by the progress so far on what promises to be the largest class action in Australia's history.

Further meetings are planned tomorrow as follows:


Monday 25 June

Acacia Ridge Hotel

1386 Beaudesert Road, Acacia Ridge

11:00 am


The Greek Club

29 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane


3:00pm

 
Information on any upcoming Goodna and Ipswich meetings will be posted on this site.

24.6.12

23 June 2012

Flood victims to meet with lawyers Sunday 24 June 2012


Walter Taylor Bridge at Indooroopilly
 during the Brisbane River flood of January 2011.
The first of a new round of public meetings of flood victims will be held on Sunday 24 June 2012 at the Indooroopilly Bowls  Club.

The meeting will outline plans by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, in conjunction with litigation funder IMF (Australia), to launch a class action over the disastrous 2011 floods in Brisbane and Ipswich.

Flood victims who have not signed up for the class action and those who want an update of the current progress towards a class action should attend one of the four key meetings.

Public meetings:

Sunday 24 June

Indooroopilly Bowls Club

Cnr Allwood and Clarence Roads, Indooroopilly

11:30 am



Sunday 24 June

Brisbane Golf Club

70 Tennyson Memorial Avenue, Yeerongpilly

3:30 pm



Monday 25 June

Acacia Ridge Hote

1386 Beaudesert Road, Acacia Ridge

11:00 am



Monday 25 June

The Greek Club

29 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane

3:00pm


Child's eye view of Goodna's 2011 flood


Jordan Pulti gives his artistic view about the devastation.

AN exhibition of Goodna State School students at Queensland Museum has allowed people to see the devastation of last year's floods through a child's eyes.

Seventeen drawings created by the students weeks after the flood that swept through their community last year will be showcased for the next month at the Collectors Café in the museum. Queensland Museum's Suzanne Misso, who curated the exhibition, said the museum was "committed to co-curating with communities like Goodna".

"Their stories are the most important thing that we can display and exhibit as part of the Queensland Museum, so that the people in those communities feel like they have some ownership of the space and that they can share their stories with people coming through," she said.

"The kids from Goodna come from diverse cultures and backgrounds and they are the kind of stories that we want to have here in the museum, particularly after some of the adversity their families have gone through. The bravery that comes through in those drawings is remarkable."

Ms Misso said it was important that the stories came from the children themselves, rather than some authority. "This is the children telling us rather than the other way around," she said.

Many children will be visiting the museum during this time with school holidays on. "The kids coming through have been really interested to see the work," Ms Misso said.

John Schoonbeek, whose 10-year-old daughter Mareska has a drawing on display, said it was "fantastic what the museum did for the kids". Mareska's picture was inspired when the helicopters flew over Goodna to search for people during the floods.

While the family was not flooded out, Mr Schoonbeek said the waters "came very close" to their home.

"These pictures allow people to see what happened through a child's eyes," he said.

"We saw the devastation and it was all over the news so it was quite distressing to my kids.

"It was important the kids were able to express themselves and put it on paper and all of them did it extremely well.

"The children were all very excited and proud to have their works on display.

Mr Schoonbeek, who is also a teacher's aide at Goodna State School, said the school and community were brought together after the floods.

"In the aftermath people from all walks of life came together and the community became stronger through it," he said.

www.QT.com.au

20.6.12


Residents and businesses critical to success of floods legal action - Public meetings to be held across Brisbane

Damian Scattini
Principal
Maurice Blackburn
Lawyers






















IMF Australia, the litigation funder behind a proposed class action to be run by Maurice Blackburn against the State of Queensland on behalf of thousands of victims of the 2011 floods, will convene with Maurice Blackburn a series of public meetings across flood-affected areas of Brisbane in the coming weeks.
IMF Executive Director, John Walker, said the meetings were an opportunity for residents and businesses affected by the floods to hear how the claim investigations are proceeding, that flood victims have about one month to be included in a compensation claim likely to be made to the State in late July, and that their involvement will be critical to the success of the proposed claim.
"The message to residents and businesses affected by the floods of 2011 is clear: it is time to get involved and help each other make this claim a success," Mr Walker said.
"The more people who join in, the more chance the action has of success."
Damian Scattini, Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, who is working with IMF Australia to investigate the proposed action, said the legal proceedings would address some questions not dealt with by the State Government's own inquiry.
"Flood-hit communities downstream from the Wivenhoe Dam deserve to know what the dam operators ought to have done throughout the January 2011 flood event," Mr Scattini said.
"They deserve to know if the loss they suffered could have been avoided and whether the State should be held accountable and compensate them for their loss."
Mr Scattini said the investigations were focusing on whether the State of Queensland, SEQ Water, SunWater or the flood operations engineers breached any duty of care in the way they operated the Wivenhoe Dam throughout the January 2011 flood event.
"Our investigations will also determine whether their negligence caused flood levels to be higher than they otherwise would have been, and what impact this had for the homes and businesses downstream of the dam," he said.
IMF Executive Director John Walker said the success of the potential class action was dependent on as many people as possible signing up from across affected communities.
"That's why we are urging anyone affected by this event to sign up - the more people who sign up the greater strength we will have in pursuing this action.
Mr Walker said the action would be conducted on a "no win, no fee to you" basis, meaning that IMF will fund all legal costs, should the case be unsuccessful, thereby removing all downside risk to flood victims who join the action.
A series of public meetings are being held in Brisbane on Sunday June 24 and Monday June 25, where householders and business owners can find out more.
Public meetings:
Date
Venue
Time
Sunday 24 June
Indooroopilly Bowls Club
Cnr Allwood and Clarence Roads, Indooroopilly
11:30 am

Sunday 24 June
Brisbane Golf Club
70 Tennyson Memorial Avenue, Yeerongpilly
3:30 pm

Monday 25 June
Acacia Ridge Hotel
1386 Beaudesert Road, Acacia Ridge
11:00 am
Monday 25 June
The Greek Club
29 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane
3:00 pm
To register interest in the potential class action visit www.imf.com.au/wivenhoe or contact 1800 809 600.


Positive signs for Brisbane River flood victims

Wivenhoe Dam

AN ANNOUNCEMENT on the potential class action against the State Government's handling of Wivenhoe Dam is expected in July as litigators finalise their expert testimony.

The signs are positive for Ipswich flood victims, with law firm Maurice Blackburn, backed by litigation funders IMF, expecting a claim to be lodged.

Public meetings will be held again this weekend in four Brisbane locations, to update potential claimants on how the hydrologist's investigations are faring.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers principal Damian Scattini said while Ipswich will not host any meetings this weekend, meetings will be scheduled in the region.

Hundreds gathered for the previous meetings held in March, but Councillor Paul Tully doesn't expect many Ipswich residents to travel to Brisbane this weekend.

Mr Scattini said the world-class hydrologists the legal firm have engaged to prove their case have uncovered some positive findings so far.

"They are genuinely world class and genuinely independent," he said.

"We are anticipating making an announcement in July. We still have some things they need to do there. We need to show what difference that would have made."

Cr Tully said the positive signs were a promising indication to the people of Ipswich searching for a last chance to recoup their losses.

"That's good news for all of the Ipswich flood victims. People are sort of anticipating a positive result following the Commission's findings that the operation of the dam had breached the manual in the days leading up to the flood," he said.

"This will give something to people who were not insured and whose insurers didn't pay out."


19.6.12

Flood disgrace: Wivenhoe Dam staff forced to use ageing power unit in flood defence

The back-up generator used during the floods at Wivenhoe Dam.






A page from the Wivenhoe Dam incident log. 


WIVENHOE Dam staff were forced to use an "unreliable" 25-year-old diesel generator to operate the gates at the dam wall when power was lost during the worst of the 2011 floods crisis.

That was because Seqwater had failed to act on its engineers' recommendation to junk it months earlier. The unit remains in service, 21 months after it was identified as requiring "immediate" replacement.

Previously unseen incident logs from Wivenhoe, obtained by The Courier-Mail using Right To Information laws, captured the unfolding drama as a handful of junior staff battled crises on multiple fronts.

They showed the back-up generator at the dam wall was fired up at 9am on January 11, 2011, when all mains power was cut by floodwaters, and remained in use until power was restored 36 hours later.

It was during this period that the operators' strategy changed from protecting downstream properties to saving the dam. It was also when the massive releases were made that flooded Brisbane and Ipswich.

The logs showed staff made frequent calls to Energex asking how soon the power would be restored.

One entry reads: "Energex waiting for break in weather, will heli deploy staff." Another notes simply: "Energex doing something."

"They weren't happy with that (generator) being the only source of power at the wall," a person involved in the crisis told The Courier-Mail.

There was no mention of back-up power at the dam in the findings of the $15 million flood inquiry. The logs from the wall, which Seqwater says it handed over to the inquiry, were never discussed in hearings.

The documents showed there were also communications failures as fax lines, over which directives were received from the flood operations centre in Brisbane, were cut.

"Water ingress" affected some equipment and operators took inventories every few hours of how much fuel was left for the generator.

The diesel generator unit is the main emergency source of high-voltage power to open the dam gates and for lighting and other services at the dam. Its replacement was the top recommendation of a five-year maintenance survey of the dam led by principal dam safety engineer John Tibaldi in September 2010.

"The main issues found during the inspection relate to ensuring the ongoing reliability of the standby diesel generator," the report said.

"This unit is now over 25 years old and appears to be approaching the end of its useful working life."

Under "General recommendations" the report concluded: "Replace the Standby Diesel generator as it is no longer reliable".

The work was given a "criticality" rating of one, defined as "rectification required immediately, that is, within one month".

Seqwater said this week: "Following the (September 2010) report and ahead of the 2010-11 wet season, the standby generator was serviced as part of an ongoing maintenance program and capable of operating as required."

Seqwater said it had "begun planning the procurement" of a new generator after the 2010 report. It blamed flood repairs for holding up the work.

A new generator was now part of the 2011-12 works program, with a budget of about $280,000, it said.

"It should be noted that works identified in the 2010 report are not critical to the ongoing operation of Wivenhoe Dam," the company said.

But it said a further back-up generator had been added since the 2011 floods.


17 June 2012

Political bastardry could wipe out flood victims' rights with the stroke of a pen


Premier Campbell Newman has a
 lot of thinking to do over any
 class action against
 the State  Government.
It would take just the stroke of a pen by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to wipe out the legal rights of possibly more than 10,000 flood victims in the devastating Brisbane River floods of January 2011.

Leading lawyers Maurice Blackburn in conjunction with litigation funders IMF (Australia) are examining the possibility of a class action against the State over the release of water from Wivenhoe Dam from Saturday 8 January 2011 which the Floods Commission found was in breach of the Dam Operating Manual.

This was three days before the devastating floods hit Ipswich and Brisbane.

Three Seqwater engineers were referred to the CMC by the Floods Commission for investigation of their role in the operation of the dam during the crisis.

It has now emerged that the State Government has the legal power to retrospectively wipe out the rights of all class action claimants.

This possibility has come as a complete shock to local flood victims.

With his overwhelming majority in the Queensland Parliament and his timid and compliant backbenchers, LNP Premier Campbell Newman could prove himself worse than Victoria's former Premier Jeff Kennett if he were to even contemplate this option.

Greater Goodna Flood Group spokesman Paul Tully - himself a flood victim - has called on Premier Newman to give a "rolled-gold 100 percent guarantee" that the State Government will not legislate in any way to deny or restrict the legal rights of flood victims.

"Campbell Newman has a duty to all flood victims to completely rule out this possibility so that no further trauma is caused to southeast Queensland's flood victims.

"If the LNP dared to contemplate this course of action, it would be the worst legal abuse and denial of natural justice by any government in Australia since the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788," Paul Tully said.

17.6.12

15 June 2012

Queensland responds to flood commission report


Ipswich Motorway Goodna, facing east,
at the height of the January 2011 flood.
THE Queensland Government will seek Commonwealth help to implement all the recommendations of the floods inquiry.The Floods Commission of Inquiry made 177 recommendations in its final report, which was handed down in March.

They related to the management of southeast Queensland's Wivenhoe Dam, flood levee regulation, planning and other issues.

Premier Campbell Newman tabled the Government's formal response to the inquiry in parliament today.

The 123 recommendations that relate to the State Government will be divided into five streams for implementation, with a working group to be set up for each stream.More than 50 recommendations relate to councils.The State Government has provided $80 million to help councils with flood mitigation and mapping projects.

Mr Newman said the Federal Government would be asked to contribute $40 million for flood mitigation work in regional areas."Queenslanders deserve better flood maps, but we can't send councils broke in developing them," he told parliament.

State cabinet will receive regular progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations from August 2012.


www.news.com.au

15.6.12


Suncorp slammed: Massive insurance hike for Goodna flood victims

FLOOD VICTIM: Goodna resident Allan Kunst has
 found his insurance premium has gone up
  since losing his home in the 2011 floods

FLOOD-AFFECTED residents of Enid St, Goodna say their home insurance premiums have gone through the roof and they will never be able to sell their houses.

Damian Main lost his home and business in January 2011, and upon renewing his home insurance premium with NRMA he was gobsmacked to find it had increased from $800 a year to $8000.

After recent flood events in Queensland and New South Wales, consumer watchdog Choice reported 89% of respondents to its latest insurance review said their insurance premiums had risen by 20 to 30%.

"We've heard anecdotally of people facing increases of up to 1000% for home and contents cover," Choice spokeswoman Ingrid Just said.

A year and a half on, Mr Main was still cleaning up his property as his insurer refused to cover him after the disaster, except for the delivery and two weeks rent in a temporary donga his family lived in.

"Who can afford $8000 a year, how can they justify that?" he said.

"Over 10 years, that's $80,000. I can't see another serious flood coming in 10 years."

Mr Main said he was at a loss with what to do and had spent the last few months ringing around getting quotes.

"I got a price from Suncorp after the floods and they would cover me for $6300, then recently they gave me a price for $3000.

"I don't know why there has been such a big change, but that is still too expensive for us to afford on one income."

Down the road, retiree Allan Kunst's insurance premium had nearly doubled from $360 per year to $701.

Mr Kunst said he held a policy with Suncorp for 23 years and in 2010 swapped to Real Insurance due to rising premiums.

"We thought we were insured for $196,000, but after the floods, the maximum they would pay out was $15,000," he said.

"The water went nine metres over our roof and no one else will insure us now.

"We can't sell the house as no one can get the capital to buy it because you've got to get flood insurance.

"By law, I have to tell any buyer how far the water went over my roof.

"We can't do anything else."

Choice's report into home and contents insurance identified positive moves by the insurance industry set to benefit consumers, including an agreed definition of flood and a decision to introduce a key facts sheet to help policyholders understand what they are covered for.

"We also want the industry to work towards simpler product disclosure statements and policies that are more easily comparable," Ms Just said.

One issue still unresolved is whether or not flood insurance should be mandatory or provided on an 'opt-out' basis.

"There's no easy answer on mandatory flood insurance - people who have a low flood risk don't want to pay for an extra they don't need," Ms Just said.

"On the other hand, if everyone is covered, it closes the coverage gap we now have.

"If you get a premium bill that's over the top, pick up the phone or go to see your insurer - if you have evidence to support your case, they may compromise."


15.6.12


Brisbane floods class action: claimants urged to sign up as deadline looms

Brisbane Rd Goodna during 2011 Flood.













A LAW firm considering a class action against the Queensland Government over last year's floods says time is running out for victims to sign up.

Maurice Blackburn, along with litigation funder IMF Australia, will hold a series of public meetings across flood-affected areas of Brisbane.

IMF executive director John Walker says the meetings are an opportunity for residents and businesses to hear how the claims investigations are proceeding and to sign up.

Flood victims will be told they don't have long to join the case, with a claim likely to be made in July.

The meetings will be held in the Brisbane suburbs of Indooroopilly, Yeerongpilly, Acacia Ridge and South Brisbane on June 24 and 25.


15.6.12

13 June 2012

Flood ravaged Goodna Services Club to re-open on July 5

Goodna Services Club general manager Deb Colbert outside
the building which has been decorated with the largest
Australian flag in Ipswich.

DON'T be surprised if you hear Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi ringing out around Goodna early next month.

That's when the revamped Goodna RSL re-opens nearly a year and a half after the Queensland flood disaster.

The building, which was almost fully submerged during the flood, will reopen to the public on July 5 with a paint job that takes patriotism to a new level.

The building's three road-facing facades are adorned with three huge Australian flags, while a new flagpole will be erected at the rear of the premises to fly an oversized Australian flag that can be seen from the Ipswich Motorway.

General manager Deb Colbert said the paint job would make the RSL a Goodna landmark while respecting the sacrifice made by generations of Australian servicemen.

"Being an RSL we are patriotic," Ms Colbert said.

"Everybody fought under that flag. A lot of people died under that flag.

"So why not put it on there and bring back what RSLs are all about."

The wave-shaped wall above the windows on the front of the club houses the biggest of the three flags more than 20m across.

The front doors of the club will open to the public nearly 18 months after the disaster that consumed much of Goodna.

The club minimised some of the financial loss by trading out of the function centre on Brisbane Tce since May last year but for staff the reopening of the main club can't come soon enough.

"I can't wait to get back into this building," Ms Colbert said.

"It's been a tough time for the staff in general but I've been overwhelmed with interest for new jobs."

More than 25 tradesmen are working on the site each day as they work to prepare the RSL for the long-awaited opening.

The club has a new look both inside and out but the GM was giving little away when questioned about what patrons can expect to find.

"All I can say at this stage is that it will be very special," Ms Colbert said.


13.6.12

COMMENT: Congratulations to all the members (more than 50,000) and Committee of the Goodna Services Club on this milestone after the devastating Brisbane River flood of 11 January 2011.  This has been a long and mighty effort and will be a major boost for the Club, the community and the Goodna Town Centre. - PaulGTully@gmail.com 


12 June 2012

Wivenhoe Dam back to high levels


WIVENHOE Dam has been allowed to reach its highest level since February 2011, with steady flows lifting the massive water supply well beyond the 75% maintained during the summer wet season.

SEQwater figures from last Friday showed the dam was now more than 85% full and rising slowly as a result of the relatively light rain that hit the area last week.

The dam has been on a steady rise since measures to rein it in were relaxed in mid-March.

The previous State Government made the decision to drain Wivenhoe to 75% of its full capacity at the end of last year following pressure from flood victims and the then LNP opposition.

Before that, the dam level had been maintained at 80%.

A change in State Government could lead to a change in policy for the way south-east Queensland's dams are managed. An SEQwater spokesman said the new State Government was in the process of reviewing dam management practices - in particular the levels that will be maintained during the summer storm season.

"For now at least, the dam will be allowed to return to its full supply level," the spokesman said.

"The new Government is reviewing the levels and how they will be maintained in the future."

At this stage it is uncertain whether the LNP Government will drain Wivenhoe Dam back to 75% at the end of this year.

The previous government's decision to leave Wivenhoe at 100% leading into the floods in January 2011 was blamed for reducing the dam's flood mitigation capabilities.

Lake Wivenhoe reached 190% at the peak of the floods, with water lapping just 60cm below the auxiliary spillway.

This necessitated the steady release of water down the Brisbane River during the flooding to prevent what would have been an even bigger catastrophe. In a week-long period between January 12 and January 20, last year, 90% of the capacity of the dam - close to one million megalitres - was released down an already flooded Brisbane River.

As of last Friday, Wivenhoe Dam was one of the few storages on the south-east Queensland water grid that was not full or overflowing.

In fact, 10 out of the region's 24 major dams are currently spilling.

Eleven of the remaining 14 are either 100% full or just under, including Somerset Dam, which is 99.6% and North Pine Dam, which is 98.4%.

http://www.qt.com.au/ 

12.6.12

08 June 2012

Goodna RSL re-opening set to revitalise area after 2011 flood

Goodna RSl will re-open its doors for the
 first time since the floods on July 5.

GOODNA will be revived when the RSL Services Club reopens its doors for the first time since the precinct was fully submerged in the 2011 floods.

The former hub of the suburb will get its buzz back next month, but also boost employment for Ipswich with more than 30 jobs up for grabs.

Cr Paul Tully said although it had been a long time coming, the re-opening of the RSL would revitalise Goodna.

"I remember the 11th of January and watching the flood waters coming up and entering the building," he said.

"The RSL was a real focal point of the suburb. It was one of the biggest clubs in Ipswich with over 50,000 members.

"We've got high unemployment rates around Ipswich, so 30 jobs will great for the individuals and families of Goodna."

RSL general manager Debra Colbert said they were recruiting for a variety of positions.

"We have openings for everything from bus drivers to bar work, gaming, supervisors, duty managers and administration," she said.

Mrs Colbert said refurbishment began in February 2012, and after several set backs, she was looking forward to the RSL officially opening its doors on July 5.

"We had to secure funding to complete the refurbishment because there was no flood cover in our insurance," she said.

Among the changes are an all new sports bar, a large gaming bar, as well as the RSL's shiny new face.

"We are very thankful for the people who have fought under our flag, so we decided to put the flag on our building," Mrs Cobert said.

"When the flood in January 2011 decimated the club, an amazing number of people came together to help us and our community.

"We came together as Australians. We are proud and not ashamed to show it."

Mrs Colbert said interested applicants could pick up an application from at the RSL's function centre.


5.6.12


Market traders consider flood litigation against Queensland Government

The fruit and vegetable markets at Rocklea were
left with a $100 million dollar damage bill.

Brisbane's market traders are seeking legal advice about another potential lawsuit against the State Government over last year's floods.

The fruit and vegetable markets at Rocklea were left with a $100 million dollar damage bill.

Traders have now engaged a legal firm to investigate if there is enough evidence to support a class action over the mismanagement of Wivenhoe Dam during the floods.

Market CEO Andrew Young says traders want the State Government to take responsibility for what happened.

"The Government built the markets here - they put us here - they're responsible for a lot of the development of the site after the 1974 floods," Mr Young said.

"We like so many others in flood affected areas are evaluating our options.

"What we've really just signalled is that if that material indicates that there was significant extra damage caused and there's prospects in a legal case then we would look at heading up a lawsuit at that time."

Thousands of people have already signed up to a separate class action being pursued by law firm Maurice Blackburn.



We'll do what's needed for Ipswich flood recovery says Premier


Ipswich CBD went under water
during the 2011 flood.

THE State Government has pledged to work closely with Ipswich City Council to implement all recommendations of the Flood Commission of Inquiry.

Handing down his response to the inquiry in parliament on Thursday, Premier Campbell Newman committed to implementing the 123 recommendations related to the State Government.

The inquiry findings were handed down in March following last year's devastating deluge in South-East Queensland.

As part of their commitment to follow through with the recommendations, the Queensland Government will work with Ipswich City and Somerset regional councils to progress a Brisbane River catchment flood study.

A probability estimate of another flood occurring in Ipswich City and a potential flood alert on properties on the real estate market will also be worked on by the council and the government.

Mr Newman said there would be a big focus on working hand-in-hand with local governments.

"This response sets out in detail…our plan to support and work closely with local governments on the ground in implementing the recommendations," he said.

"Queenslanders deserve better flood maps, but we can't send councils broke in developing them. We will aim to develop a sound, properly prioritised risk-based flood mapping system across the state."

The government will also "consider" the feasibility of upgrading bridges and crossings between Colleges Crossing and the Moggil Ferry.

However, the government stated in its response, options would need to balance significant financial implications with regional and local needs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson previously ruled out any upgrades to the crossings in the near future.

Following the scrutiny Wivenhoe Dam operators were subjected to during the flood inquiry, the government committed to a raft of recommendations about the overhaul of dam flood mitigation manuals.

The manuals will be finalised before the 2012-2013 wet season.

Many of the recommendations in the flood inquiry rest squarely on the shoulders of local governments.

In an attempt to ease the financial burden, Mr Newman said he would provide $40 million to fund council projects over three years. An additional $40 million from the Royalties to Regions initiative will also assist councils.

Local Government Association of Queensland president Paul Bell said councils' major concerns had been heeded.

"Local government will also be represented on four of the five working groups the premier has established to ensure the implementation of the response to the inquiry remains on track," he said.


8.6.12

06 June 2012

Ipswich Council tweaks planning guide to development adopted after January floods



IPSWICH City Council intends to continue to operate a temporary planning regulation designed to ensure that inappropriate development cannot take place on Ipswich's flood plains, following the publication of the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry's findings.

Planning and development committee chairman Councillor Paul Tully said the Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) operating in Ipswich was recognised in the final report of the inquiry as an appropriate planning measure.

Cr Tully said as this regulation was due to cease in mid-June, the council was now intending to adopt a replacement TLPI.

"Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) 01/2011 was prepared to provide improved flood control regulations," he said.

The revised flood line will continue to be based on a combination of the one in 100 line, the 1974 flood, and data provided by the Department of Environment from the January 2011 flood.

- Ipswich Advertiser