General News
2 April, 2025
'Talk to a mate' – Boulia mayor's thoughts with western communities
Rick Britton knows all too well what his mates further south are going through.
Boulia mayor Rick Britton says he has bittersweet feelings as his shire narrowly avoided the rain that has left most of the Outback underwater.
“We dodged a bullet but I can’t say the same for those other shires; it's very hard to watch what is happening there,” he said.
Cr Britton was referring to the widespread flooding that has most of western Queensland submerged, from Winton to Thargomindah.
“That system just missed us. We probably caught the edge of it,” the long-time mayor said.
“A couple of places in the shire got a lot of rain. There were pockets of 200 to 300 millimetres in some places.
“Alderley Station, Frank and Rada Blackett, got hit with 320mm in a 24-hour period, but overall the shire has fared pretty well.”
Cr Britton, who owns Goodwood Station on the outskirts of Boulia, said the vision of the flooding reminded him of the 1974 weather event that crippled much of Outback Queensland.
“We lost about 7000 sheep in ’74 but I was only a kid,” he said.
“I can vividly remember the impact it had on our business at that time with mum and dad.
“There are people saying (on social media) that graziers needed to get the stock out ... well in that country there’s never been a weather event like that before this late in the year.
“I can understand getting that rain in January, February, but when it’s that late, it’s something that you could never ever plan for.”
Cr Britton said there was a cruel sense of irony for property owners who were praying for rain just a couple of weeks ago.
“That’s how Mother Nature is, I suppose,” he said, before referring to the iconic My Country by Dorothea Mackellar.
“That famous poem ... Australia is drought and flooding rains.
“And she wrote that poem more than 100 years ago, so nothing’s changed in the environment.”
The mayor said he had one piece of advice for those impacted by the flooding.
“Seek a mate, talk to a mate; you’re not on your own and this is where communities really come together,” he said.
“There are assistance packages out there from government. Seek that help as much as you can and don’t let your voice go unheard.”
SUPPORT ARRIVES
Helicopters from across the country, including Cloncurry, have been deployed to the flooded areas to provide fodder drops and evacuate residents.
Premier David Crisafulli said stock losses would be “soul destroying”.
“We’re dealing with tens of thousands of stock losses across beef, as well as sheep and goats,” he said during his visit.
“There’ll be a massive economic impact, but there’s also that social and personal impact when you lose your livelihood.”
Bulloo Shire mayor John Ferguson said the flood was the “worst he’s ever seen”.
“We’re in uncharted territory. We’ve never been here before,” he said.
On Monday, the federal LNP vowed to put $10 million towards a new weather radar for western Queensland, should they win the upcoming election.
“If families had been given more notice, they would have easily had time to get to safety,” said David Littleproud, the leader of the National Party and Member for Maranoa.
“Instead, some have been forced to fight for their lives. That’s why this is important.”
Barcoo Shire mayor Sally O’Neil said the water level had been 47cm higher than in 1974.
“That extra half a metre of water through town went through houses that didn’t get done in ’74. It’s a bit of a mess,” she said.
“Probably a third of the town (is damaged). The pub was the first one under, but it had water through in ’74 as well so we knew it was going. It does appear (the worst is over) and I hope so. There is rain further north, up in the top of the catchment, but we’re hoping this water gets away before the next lot comes and that might save it from coming into town.”
Cr O’Neil said forecasts had predicted significant rainfall in the area.
“We sort of get a bit complacent. You get forecasts, you get told (it’s going to rain) and then nothing happens,” she told ABC National.
“I thought it was never going to rain here again so, this time I thought ‘oh yeah, we’ll see when it happens’. And sure enough, it happened.”
FUNDING ON OFFER
Flood-affected small businesses and not-for-profits in the local government areas of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton can now access disaster loans from the Australian and Queensland governments.
This includes Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 and Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 to go towards repairs and asset replacement, restocking, and costs to keep operational such as paying wages, rent and rates.
Personal Hardship Assistance is available to eligible residents in the Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton LGAs.
Phone 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp for more information.
