Central Queensland hit by floods

A coal mine has been shut down and more than a thousand hectares of cotton crops
damaged by floodwaters in central Queensland.
The Dawson River peaked in Theodore at midnight (AEST) on Friday at 13 metres and
was receding throughout Saturday.
The 500-strong township lies between Dawson River and Castle creek, with many
streets edging the waterways.
Despite its precarious position, it avoided what would have been the second major
flood this year.
But a nearby coal mine and low lying cotton farms weren't so lucky.
Cockatoo Coal's mine at Baralaba, about 100km north of Theodore, has been closed
since December 3, with its only access bridge inundated.
The Dawson River was flowing 6m above the bridge on Saturday afternoon, meaning
employees can't get to work.
The mine's operation manager Ray Delaforce said although the coal pit is more or
less dry, the inundated bridge has ground production to a halt.
"We're probably losing more than $100,000 a day," Mr Delaforce told AAP.
The river is predicted to peak at the bridge at 12.2m early next week.
A flood boat is being used by authorities for needed crossings.
Meanwhile, cotton crops along the Dawson River have been devastated for the second
time this year.
President of the Dawson Valley cotton growers' association Fleur Anderson said
they're assessing the damage with the latest flood.
"There has been some level of damage to cotton crops in the area and infrastructure,
such as levee banks, irrigation structures and pumps," she told AAP.
"We think about 1200 hectares have been affected.
"It is just another blow to the community."
It's not quite the devastation of the floods in March, when some 1700 hectares of
cotton - or $8 million dollars' worth - was destroyed just weeks out from the
harvest.
Banana Shire Mayor John Hooper said although he feels for the cotton farmers, he's
happy the township of Theodore got off lightly.
The river only broke its bank during the peak at an industrial estate.
"There was a little bit of water into the industrial area in town, but it didn't
cause much problem," Mr Hooper told AAP.
More water could flow into the township in the coming days after 76mm of rain fell
in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday around Taroom and Roma.
"It's a concern, but we're told it will not impact greatly at this point in time,"
Mr Hooper said.
"It will take four days to come down.
"The worry is how much rain is on the way for Theodore."
The weather bureau predicted another 50mm to hit the town between 2pm (AEST)
Saturday and midday Sunday.
Up to 100mm in isolated falls were also expected.
"Those isolated falls are more likely to lead to flash flooding," a spokesperson for
the Bureau of Meteorology told AAP.
Floods were a one in ten year event for the shire, so it was unusual to have two in
one year.
In March, the river peaked at 13.49 metres, inundating about 10 homes.
Meanwhile, Rockhampton City Council has been asking residents to prepare for
inundation of low-lying areas around the Fitzroy for days.
The river is expected to peak at 7.8 metres on Monday or Tuesday, and could cause
problems in low lying areas of the city.