Anyone heard from the Toowoomba crew???

That is really sad news Andrew. Please pass my regards on to your friend.

As for the news coverage Vern and Wendy, I think that the switch to Brisswich is understandable. Capital city, major population area in the state.

It doesn't mean the other places are forgotten. Don't forget there is task force set up to deal with the clean-up and reconstruction and it started its work some time before Brisswich was hit. Of course its task is now much larger and one would hope that appropriate resources are not only increaased, but put to best use for all areas.


I am not a fan of Anna Bligh or this state government BUT i have to say that I am mightely impressed with the way they have handled the situation.

I think one lesson to be learned is that the police need better legislative powers to be able to force or direct stubborn people to evacuate and to p34s of rubber neckers who simply get in the way.

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Originally Posted by RufflyRustic

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The purple balls are actually the fruit of the native tree in the neighbour's yard. I have no idea what the tree is, except that it is an Aussie native, flowers twice a year, the birds go mad over the nectar and when the flowers age, the birds get drunk on the nectar. it then produces the balls or nuts or seed balls which have a fleshy outer and seed pod inner. After a while the outer skin turns a bright purpley-blue. The fruit/seed pods are definitely not edible to bird, animal or human but the flowers' nectar is. The leaves are large, straight and narrow and turn red before they drop from the tree.
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Elaeocarpus angustifolius
Other Botanical Names: Elaeocarpus ganitrus, Elaeocarpus grandis, Elaeocarpus sphaericus, Ganitrus sphaerica

Common Names: Blue Quandong, Blue Marble Tree, Silver Quandong, Blue Fig, New Guinea Quandong

The fruit is blue, the timber is silver so if you are looking for it as timber, ask for Silver Quandong.

thanks Cliff

I'm not a fan of Anna Bligh, but kudos to her for being there and in full view with very regular updates. She's coming across as human, caring and doing her bit:2tsup:

My condolences FC.

Here's a link to a silver quandong box. As you can see, it's a nice timber.

Glad to hear most of the forumites are OK.

Alex, I just so happened to be talking with a Twmba surveyor this evening and he mentioned one of his friends talking about rivers and how the surveyor has been asking his friend lots of river-related questions.

:question:

"No way," I thought, "but it's worth a try."

"Your friend, by any chance is he in a team of Hydrographers that went north and west recently?"

Surveyor replied, "Yes, they are all back now but they will be going out and around again soon."

So Alex, The Hydrographers are back safely. They are astounded by what they have seen but they will be going out again around the region soon, if they haven't already.

it's a small, small world sometimes
:U:2tsup:

My daughter's partner who has been stranded in Toowoomba all week made it home to Ipswich today. It is normally a 1 hour drive east down the range and along the Warrego Hway, but he had to go SW towards Warwick on the Cunningham Hway, then cut across country south down to Boonah and back along the Boonah - Brisbane road to Ipswich. Took him 3 hours.

His biggest problem, besides the potholes and washaways, was ratbag drivers speeding along, not driving to the conditions, and making it hard for everyone

The power came back on here some time during the night. Our house was high and dry by about 3m at the peak so all is good here. The pony club went under completely so horses have been evacuated to high ground and for the last few days I've been ferrying supplies in on foot to those camped out since there is no vehicle access atm. We are trying to find nearby land for suitable for them as it will be weeks before they can go back to their paddocks. Catching up on news on TV and on here its just terrible, so much saddness, but on the ground there is such a feeling of mateship - the community has really come together.

Cheers
Michael

Thanks, Wendy, glad they're OK. They will be busy for a while.
At least the students wont be able to say they haven't got any material for their major project.:roll:

After all of the work and clean up is done - I fear that there will be many in for a nasty surprise when they get there next water bill. I have not heard any mention of a suspension of billing or allowance of water for clean up - I would be really pleased if someone could tell me I'm wrong.

I think that one of the most horrible stories I have heard was when a mate told me yesterday that as a result of the floods his Mother-in-law wants to leave Ipswich and move in with him and his wife!! Horror!!!!

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Originally Posted by Bob38S

After all of the work and clean up is done - I fear that there will be many in for a nasty surprise when they get there next water bill. I have not heard any mention of a suspension of billing or allowance of water for clean up - I would be really pleased if someone could tell me I'm wrong.

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Rockhampton mayor is already talking about a rebate - hopefully they'll do the same thing here :shrug:

Campbell Newman has promised a rebate!:)

In case you missed me...I'm still here.

I've been fairly busy the last few days helping out on the phones (I work for TRC) as there has been a high volume of calls and we've been manning the phones for extended hours during the week. Things are starting to settle down, and roads are being reopened, so it is looking good for supplies to get to us from down south, while Brisbane recovers.

Opening the Range was a high priority, and there is still limited access and water tankers are given highest priority in both directions as there is basically no or severely limited water infrastructure in much of LVC.

Unfortunately we get an awful lot of calls concerning areas in Lockyer, and there's not much we can do except refer them on to LVC as we aren't provided with or keeping up to date info on their situation.

Our crews have been working long, hard shifts to ensure as many roads are trafficable as possible, and thankfully nearly all our major infrastructure has survived in tact (water, sewerage, electricity).

In the scheme of things, we got off pretty lightly...

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Originally Posted by q9

.... (I work for TRC) ......

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Good on ya, no body else does. :D

Only joking... I live on the tablelands, we call our council TRC as well.

You should update your profile to say where in Oz you really are.