THIS week’s much-heralded rain has delivered some much needed relief for drier parts of the state including the Central Highlands and sections of the Maranoa and Darling Downs, leaving areas further west contending with patchier falls.
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Falls of 75 to 100mm were received around Taroom and Wandoan while Dalby residents had received 30 to 40mm up until this morning.
Cyril Close of TopX Roma, said the heaviest rain in his area had fallen from Roma east to Wallumbilla and halfway across to Taroom.
“The best I’ve heard has been close to six inches (152mm), which fell over Sunday, Monday and Tuesday afternoon on the north-eastern side of Roma,” he said.
“It’s been very patchy though and I have also heard reports of 10mm.”
Mr Close said it was still raining in Roma this morning.
“The Bungil Creek has gone from bone dry yesterday to half full today,” he said.
“It’s been lovely, soaking, steady rain and it’s getting to the point where it is starting to run off and fill dams, which is great.”
In the Mitchell district there have been good falls to the north of the town, while properties to the south are still waiting.
Further south, Kaitlin Bennet of Ray White Rural, Goondiwindi, said the rain across the Border districts had been very welcome.
“We’ve had close to 40mm so far in town,” she said.
“We’re still predicted to get 25 to 50mm today and tomorrow we are predicted to get 50 to 100mm.
“Anywhere in a 50 to 100km vicinity of town seems to be getting good falls and I’ve heard out to St George and Dirranbandi are getting a good share as well.”
It was patchier on the western Downs with Russell Jorgensen of GDL Meandarra reporting falls of up to 30mm in the district, with an average closer to 25mm.
Some eastern parts of central Queensland copped a welcome drenching and Scott Skerman, Rarcamba, Wandoan, was lucky enough to be under 100mm.
Russell Ezzy, Hidden Vale, Wandoan received 75mm, while the Staines family, Kurrava, Guluguba, received 63 mm.
Emerald district campdrafting enthusiasts Kelly and Jodi Harrold, who live just 5km south of Emerald, said the 100mm that fell on Monday night was very timely.
Jodie had booked a water truck for Tuesday morning as water levels ran critically low.
“It was very timely overnight rain and at the last minute, so we have cancelled the water truck as the tanks are full and the dam is by-washing,” she said.
Andrew and Kerry McKenzie, Hamadra Droughtmasters, Bluff, recorded 127mm over four and a half hours on Monday night.
“We really had been holding out for some run-off rain and yes we got it, and now our dams are full and by-washing and the creeks are running,” Kerry said.
Meanwhile neighbours to the McKenzies, George and Cathy Hoare, Rockview, Bluff, recorded 34mm at the house and 120mm over the centre of the property.
“We are housebound at the moment and can’t get around to see how the dams are, but having Wild Horse Creek flowing is certainly a major benefit,” Mrs Hoare said.
Monto’s Girlie Goody said she received 79mm up until this morning, but said falls continued to be patchy in the Burnett region.
Randall Spann of Elders Biloela described the rain on Wednesday morning as “bloody beautiful”.
“We’ve had anywhere from 75mm to 25-30mm and it’s still raining,” he said.
“It’s covering a good area at the moment and supposed to be here until Saturday.
“It will make a big difference and help the whole industry, whether it’s grain or cattle.”
There were lighter falls on the Darling Downs with Murray Todd at Dalkeith, Cambooya, measuring 27mm until this morning.
“It is too late to do the sorghum any good, but we may get sufficient rain from this to plant an oats crop,” he said.
Murray Boshammer of Landmark Dalby said farmers were still hoping for more in the coming days.
I don’t expect it to be enough to plant on at this stage because it’s been so dry but we’ve got to start somewhere,” he said.
“I think Dalby itself has received around 30 to 40mm.
“Warra and Jandowae have received 40 to 50mm and heading east down towards Brookstead falls have been more like 60 to 100mm.”
Rain in the central west concentrated on areas east of Longreach early in the week.
The Macintosh family at Fairfield reported 19mm, the Gowing family at Glenaras north of Ilfracombe received 24mm, and Leichhardt station south of Aramac recorded 23mm.
Some isolated falls in the Blackall region included 25mm at Warringah in the south west and 30mm at Northampton, to the east of the town.
Closer to the coast, the Cogill family at Bettsvale, Pentland had a welcome 75mm while Glenariff, south of Prairie had 83mm.
