Queensland Braces for Flooding

DOZENS of people have been evacuated from their homes, hundreds of streets closed and Australia Day celebrations cancelled as drenching rain continues to fall across the Queensland.

Conditions are expected to worsen with creeks already breaking their banks, sending floodwaters into homes and businesses, the Courier-Mail reported.

Major theme parks Movie World and Wet'n'Wild have now been shut because of minor flooding.

The decision was made to close the parks as flood waters were close to or covering the car park and main gate areas, but managers anticipate they will reopen tomorrow.

As the 36-hour deluge continues to drown the southeast, the Bureau of Meteorology issued another warning to residents on the Gold Coast, Redland City, North Stradbroke Island and the Scenic Rim Council areas to brace for further flash flooding.

It said severe storm cells would produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding over the next several hours.

Locations to be affected include Coolangatta, Comboyuro Point and Cape Moreton.

A severe weather warning remains current for the region, with the heaviest rain over southern Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast at 9am.

Falls of between 40mm and 50mm have been recorded over the last hour alone.

The highest rainfall totals for the past 24 hours to 9am include Lower Springbrook 313mm, Sugarbag Rd 287mm, Meridan Way 270mm, Bracken Ridge 265mm, Deception Bay 257mm and Redcliffe 234mm.

Water was released from Wivenhoe Dam this morning at 10am to counter rising water, with more expected if heavy falls continue.

The minor releases are aimed at reducing the dam back to full supply level within the next seven days according to Seqwater.

They will impact nearby Twin Bridges, Savages Crossing and Colleges Crossing the company said.

Urban flooding isn't expected as a result of this controlled release and residents should contact about road and crossing closures and other possible impacts.

Somerset Dam has also made releases, after being at ``103.5% of its capacity,'' according to Seqwater.

North Pine Dam similarly made minor releases and Leslie Harrison Dam saw roughly the same level of releases at 2.00 pm yesterday.

Meanwhile ten other un-gated dams are spilling over across the southeast as rain continues to come.

Emergency services have performed 16 swift water rescues across the southeast of the state overnight while SES volunteers have responded to 290 calls for help.

Two women were reported missing after a car was found flooded in the Glass House Mountains with no-one inside, but police said they were found early this morning.

Last night, emergency rescue officers were called to Bellmere, north of Caboolture, after reports of people trapped in their cars by floodwaters.

Conditions are expected to worsen with creeks already breaking their banks, sending floodwaters into homes and businesses.

As at 5.45am Wednesday there are flood warnings for the Mary, Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers, north of Brisbane and for the Albert and Logan rivers south of Brisbane.

Last night, emergency rescue officers were called to Bellmere, north of Caboolture, after reports of people trapped in their cars by floodwaters. On arrival, police found the occupants had managed to free themselves.

And a car was found flooded in the Glass House Mountains with no one inside. Ambulance and fire crews were called to Old Gympie Road for a water rescue about 8.30pm but the car was found empty.

Police were searching to determine whether anyone is missing.

Three people were forced to swim from their car at Kenmore Hills, in Brisbane's west, after being caught in waters yesterday afternoon, while an ABC childcare centre was evacuated on Zillmere Rd at Boondall, in the city's north.

Three people in Narangba were rescued after their house was flooded.

Rescue crews were called to a house on Moore Road in Kurwongbah in Brisbane's north at 8pm but were unable to find anyone in danger.

After a further street patrol, however, three people were found stuck in their house.

Earlier in the day, five children were reported trapped in chest-deep stormwater at Morayfield, north of Brisbane, prompting calls for closer parental supervision in waterways.

Evacuation centres were set up in Deception Bay and Narangba, also to Brisbane's north, last night.

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Queensland Tourism Industry Canvassed on China Growth

Tourism Queensland has released a discussion paper on opportunities and challenges facing the industry as the State ramps-up efforts to snare a greater share of the burgeoning China market.

Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Minister Jan Jarratt said work was well advanced on developing the new Project China Strategy, with industry feedback critical.

"Sustainably growing our share of the China market and giving Chinese visitors a great experience involves everyone and I want industry to have their say, with consultation open until December," Ms Jarratt said.

"The discussion paper raises issues from better catering for Chinese travellers to diversifying target markets such as attracting different age groups and destinations so it is important for industry to think about these issues and give their feedback," she said.

"The resulting Project China Strategy will map out our long-term vision to grow our share of the crucial China market, with potential spending by Chinese visitors in Australia tipped to reach $7-9 billion by 2020."

Ms Jarratt said China was already Queensland's third largest international market and one of the fastest growing, with 198,000 Chinese visiting Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - 25% more than the year prior.

"Chinese travellers are big spenders, outlaying $381 million on their trips to Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - a significant $48 million more than during the previous year," she said.

"With Chinese visitor numbers forecast to continue growing by double digits over the next few years, it's vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to ensure they have the best possible Queensland experience, and when they go home they tell their friends and family that Queensland is where Australia Shines."

Topics raised in the discussion paper include:

Fine-tuning Queensland's aviation strategy; Educating the Queensland tourism industry about Chinese travellers' behaviours and expectations; Ensuring marketing efforts are focused on specific geographic areas in China, particularly high yield visitor regions, and are carried out jointly with key industry partners; Preparing and developing Queensland's tourism industry to deliver high quality experiences to Chinese visitors; and The potential for Chinese investment in Queensland tourism infrastructure.

Ms Jarratt said Tourism Queensland already has a strong presence in China focusing on relationships with key industry partners and aggressive marketing and retail activities to attract Chinese visitors.

"An outcome of our strong industry relationships has already resulted in China Southern Airlines announcing that from October 30 the airline will increase its Guangzhou-Brisbane flights from three to four per week and add Beijing to the route.

"This will increase the number of seats per week into Brisbane from 846 to 1,132.

"Industry development focusing on the China market has already begun, with this week's infrastructure investment forum on the Gold Coast and Tourism Queensland's workshop series on China cultural awareness helping operators develop the skills and product that appeal to Chinese visitors."

Feedback on the discussion paper will be incorporated in the new 2012-2016 China market strategy.