Queensland Floods – February 2022
When the Bureau of Meteorology issued severe weather warnings for South-East Queensland on Friday February 25, 2022 with heavy rain expected to continue across the region into Saturday morning, people started thinking about how to protect their homes and clubs from the inevitable deluge of water. Flood warnings were issued while the rain continued to bucket down with little respite.
Emergency warnings were in place at several locations including the Sunshine Coast, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba. Major flood warnings were issued at 8pm on Sunday February 27 for the lower Brisbane River around the central business district and the Logan and Albert rivers following continued rain throughout Sunday. A warning was issued to communities around the Logan and Albert rivers including Logan, Beaudesert, MacLean Bridge and Waterford. More than 400 mm of rainfall was recorded in the Brisbane area on Sunday.
Unfortunately, this flooding affected many clubs in Queensland. While some clubs suffered from flooded greens due to rainfall and overflow, other clubs were hit badly with flood waters going through their clubhouses and severely damaging the building and its contents.
THE ALBERT BOWLS CLUB – GYMPIE
The Albert Bowls Club was flooded up to the rooftop and, as soon as access was possible, a small army of members and non-members started working on what was to be a solid few days of dirty, muddy and smelly work.
Helpers cleared the majority of debris from the clubhouse, then commenced mud removal. Another group worked on the sheds while some ladies provided drinks and sustenance. Rural Firies hosed most of the mud off the greens and it looks good now. Mud removal continued along with removal of cupboards and electrical equipment from the kitchen. Bowls, mats and stools were washed and stored. Meanwhile, two rubbish piles were moved to the dump. The clean-up continued, focusing more on the hall area, doors (which wouldn’t close), electrical wiring, switchboards, etc. The Albert’s treasurer, Rick Wadrop, said the club has had flooding before, but never as much as this time.
“The water came up higher, and lasted longer, than the 2011 floods,” Rick said.
“Even the floorboards buckled and the ceiling is ruined.”
The club has two years left on the lease of land from Natural Resources and it is hoped that once damage has been correctly assessed, they can put dollar figures on the costs of possible repair. Due to the high demand for tradespeople, it is proving hard to get quotes quickly.
“Thanks to the many members who attended, as well as the CPB Contractor staff (headed by Garry Dan) along with numerous other non-members who were a major factor in the early removal of the large debris from the clubhouse,” Rick said.
“Thanks to Owen Raines and the Gympie Bowls Club for offering the use of their greens for our competitions, if necessary.
“Thanks also to Mitre10 for a $2,000 credit and Bunnings for equipment donations as well as staff assistance.”
JINDALEE BOWLS CLUB – BRISBANE
Members from the Jindalee Bowls Club in Brisbane didn’t expect the water to be as high as it was. They cleaned out downstairs and lifted everything to the higher level, but the water came up to just below the clubhouse ceiling (seven feet).
They lost all of their computers, laptops, files, archives, furniture, stock and greenkeeper’s shed machinery.
With much work by volunteers, the club has bounced back and, 11 days later, members were back playing bowls on the revived greens.
WINDSOR BOWLS CLUB
Members at the Windsor Bowls Club raised many things above the 2011 flood level, which was around one to two feet, as they didn’t think it would go any higher this time.
Unfortunately, the brutal February water deluge flooded the club with five feet of water through the bottom level, which included bar, stock, pokies, furniture, carpet, cool room and temporary cool room, greenkeeper’s shed machinery.
This time, the water level was four to five feet higher than 2011.
Members of the club are busy working hard to fix damage and rebuild.
SAMFORD BOWLS CLUB
Samford Bowls Club in Brisbane had about six to eight inches of water in the club, but the water went underneath most electrical items.
The parquetry floor and carpet were ruined, which will be expensive to replace as it’s a large area. The furniture survived but the outdoor seats along one side of green were damaged. There is damage to the synthetic greens but members are unsure of the extent of this damage.
Local members, the community and firefighters have been of great help to the club.
OXLEY BOWLS CLUB
Oxley Bowls Club had major flooding but it was lower than the floods in 2011, with waters rising to about 60cm inside the clubhouse. The parquetry floor, chairs, oven and some electrical equipment was damaged.
At the time of publishing, the club estimated it would take approximately $116,000 to repair or fix damaged equipment. The club has started a GoFundMe page (https://gofund.me/4792949d), received $5,000 from the Lord Mayor’s fund and is applying for other support and grants.
Oxley Bowls Club is the home to The Walking Football Club who, along with the local community and club members, have assisted with whatever is necessary to get the club up and running again. The Walking Football Club has also helped with grants. The club would like to thank everyone for their assistance in the clean up.
GOODNA
Goodna Bowls Club had a foot of water through the club, which ruined floor coverings and timber cupboards. However, the three feet of water through the greenkeeper’s shed damaged machinery, which has been sent away to see if can be restored. The club lost power and, for a few days, members were unable to access the club to see how much damage was caused.
The club is on council owned land, so the council is assisting with the clubhouse side of things. Members are now able to play on some greens and other clubs have helped out. The club is now back playing social bowls and members are happy that this flood wasn’t as bad as 2011, where the waters reached the roof of the club. The club was rebuilt three feet higher after the last floods, which helped this time.
KANDANGA BOWLS CLUB
Kandanga Bowls had four to five inches of water through the club. Acting swiftly, members took up all carpet tiles prior to the flood, cleaned the floor after the flood and relaid the carpet tiles. The club had good support from members and the community to help clean inside and outside. There was some electrical damage which will take approximately $2,000 to fix, some fence damage which was fixed by volunteers and lost a roller and mower. The greens were flooded but, apart from some damage to the ditches, cleaned up well. Julie Worth from the club submitted the following article:
In the early hours of Friday morning 25 February, Kandanga Creek rose at an extraordinary rate covering the road bridge and the road into the bowling and camping precinct.
Luckily, campers had moved out in case of flooding two days before. In accordance with the club’s flood plan, members started at 5.30am to move as much as possible to avoid damage on the green and camping area. As the flood inundated the surrounding flats, everything that could be moved inside the club was lifted to above flood height.
Those members then walked out and watched from the railway line as the water inundated the green and clubhouse.
On Saturday 26th, those members and some volunteers assembled at the club and cleaned the mud off the green and hosed down inside the clubhouse. As part of the club’s flood plan, water is stored because the town water supply is always affected by flood damage. That night everyone relaxed thinking that all was safe. The water dropped below bridge height at 8pm that night.
To the surprise of all, it rained again, and the water came up and covered the green the next day. Never before have we experienced two floods in two days. Mind you, on several occasions, we have experienced two floods in three weeks.
Over five days, those core members and volunteers worked to get everything back to operation. All electrical and gas was checked, emergency repairs were carried out. The club is very grateful to CPB Contractors who sent a team in on day six to help with repairs to ditches and the surrounds of the green.
A debriefing was held by those who were involved in the essential work, so that the flood plan can be improved.
DAYBORO BOWLS CLUB
Dayboro Bowls Club had about three quarters of a metre of water through the club and greenkeeper’s shed. The damage wasn’t as bad as 2011 when the water rose to a couple of metres. There was damage to the new flooring, greens, ditches, greens machinery and scoreboards. The club’s insurance will cover most of the loss including loss of trade. Peter Dutton, MP, Federal Member for Dixon, is assisting too. Unfortunately, some memorabilia in the storage shed was lost after it was stored due to the members doing some painting.
MARYBOROUGH SERVICES MEMORIAL BOWLS CLUB
Maryborough Services Memorial Bowls Club was first impacted in the January floods, only to be affected again in the February flooding. Both times, the greens flooded and the water remained under the main club level, although the water came within three steps of main club level in February. The artificial green damaged first time cost $23,000 to fix and is now damaged again with ripples in the green. The power board and cool room under the club were damaged, but members managed to get all machinery and equipment out before the deluge arrived.
TANSEY BOWLS CLUB
Tansey Bowls Club flooded badly in January, as unfortunately the club is in a flood plain and next to a creek. In February, the creek waters rose but the besser block wall built between the club and the green held the water at bay this time. Still recovering from their January onslaught, other clubs and local businesses have provided funds and materials to help with fixing up the club. Many members have offered their time and most of the walls have already been reinstated. The club still needs painting and a new cool room and they are applying for the Community Gambling Fund Super Round for this.
Our thoughts go out to all clubs and members who were affected by the February floods. We have covered as much as we can in this issue of the Bowler magazine, but welcome any new contributions or updates. Please send information to media@bowlsqld.org
