The Fitzroy River is holding steady at 8.8 metres in Rockhampton, just short of the predicted 9 metre peak.
In the early hours of the morning the Fitzroy River reached a top of 8.9 metres.
The Bureau of Meteorology states the river level is “likely to remain relatively steady around its current level during the morning but is expected to begin falling slowly during the afternoon.
“Minor fluctuations are still possible this morning and for this reason the Bureau will not consider the river level to have peaked at Rockhampton until the river level observations show a consistently falling trend.”
Chair of LDMG Councillor, Tony Williams, said the temporary flood barrier erected at Rodboro Street and Ellis Street was holding back flood waters and protecting homes that would normally be inundated at this stage.
“This barrier is only stage one of the North Rockhampton Flood Mitigation Project and has proven to be very effective - it will help save a lot of money in our clean-up bill and will also allow residents to reduce their flood insurance premiums,” Cr Williams said.
“I have already started seeking support from residents in this area to lobby for stage two of the project, which would see a temporary flood barrier erected in Water Street protecting a further 100 residences and commercial buildings.”
*Update four: Rockhampton calls for flood levees
*Update three: Fitzroy River continues to rise
*Update two: Rockhampton flood prolonged
*Update one: Rockhampton prepares for flooding
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Margaret Strelow, praised the efforts of the local community who had been well prepared ahead of the flood.
“To-date this event has operated very smoothly from an emergency services perspective, with no SES call outs in the last 24 hours and our Evacuation Centre running at minimal numbers, it really has been very well managed between all agencies,” Cr Strelow said.
“I thank our community for listening, preparing and taking action.
“The huge win for us has been the access from the Yeppen overpass in and out of Rockhampton and even the airport access to Gladstone – it’s proven that we now have a new way of dealing with these high level floods.
“We are open and still business as usual.”