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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Legend Tees Up for Fundraiser

THE Valleys Rugby League Club hit the jackpot when it secured rugby league's man of the hour, Darren Lockyer, as the special guest for its inaugural golf day, sportsman's dinner and memorabilia auction.

Lockyer will come to Gladstone to participate in this event, which is a combined effort of the junior and senior clubs.

It will be the club's major fundraiser for the year.

"We have big plans of progressing our club forward in the future, but to do so money is required, hence the major fundraiser," Jo Davis said.

"We hope to be able to host games on our grounds like Wallabys and Seagulls do, to do this though we need to make a lot of improvements to the fields to meet Queensland Rugby League guidelines.

"It's going to be a huge job; basically the whole field needs to be repositioned."

To get the ball rolling the junior and senior divisions of the club have joined this year to raise funds.

The fundraisers will be held on Saturday, February 18.

The day will start at 9am out at the Calliope Golf Course, where those interested will participate in a three-man Ambrose.

"This is a fun sociable way to play golf so it seemed a good way to get everyone together," Davis said.

"The major sponsor, which is yet to be secured, will have an additional player on their side as Darren has committed to playing, he will be their extra team member.

"Meanwhile our other guest, Sean Hoppe, will play with the silver sponsor."

Lunch will be provided at the golf with prizes awarded.

It will be backed up that night with the sportsman's dinner.

"The dinner will be an 18-plus event at the PCYC," she said.

"Our guests will be interviewed by our MC making it a fun, informative night."

Davis said the club was ecstatic about the fundraiser and was looking forward to the community getting behind them.

"Lockyer only just participated in his first function like this," she said.

"So he is new to this and we will be among one of his first events, which adds to the excitement."

Tickets go on sale this Sunday from noon until 4pm, with a sausage sizzle at the Queens Hotel, Goondoon St, Gladstone.

Everyone is welcome.

The details

What: Valley's inaugural golf day and sportsman's dinner and memorabilia auction

When: February 18, 9am for golf and 7.30pm for dinner

Where: Calliope Golf Course and PCYC

Tickets: On sale this Sunday from noon until 4pm, with a sausage sizzle at the Queens Hotel, Goondoon St, Gladstone.

Legend Tees Up for Fundraiser

Heron Island Celebrates Turtle Season

In celebration of the annual turtle nesting season on Queensland's Heron Island, resort owners, Delaware North Companies (DNC) have partnered with the Sea Turtle Foundation, a non-profit, non-government organisation that is dedicated to safeguarding sea turtle populations, migration routes and habitats.

This annual wildlife wonder began in November with approximately 80 green turtles coming ashore every night to nest on this beautiful Great Barrier Reef coral cay.

"Many of our guests come to the island specifically to see the turtles, so we have "hatched a partnership" with the Foundation that provides guests with a greater opportunity to understand and support these amazing creatures" said Michelle Kenna, Director of Marketing for DNC. "The partnership will help to support the endangered turtles of the Great Barrier Reef including up to 900 nesting turtles annually on Heron Island" explained Kenna.

"The partnership will be a phased approach that in its initial stages will see the Foundation personnel and trained Resort staff organising guided beach walks to watch the nesting and hatching," commented Tim Harvey, a Director of the Sea Turtle Foundation. "In addition we will present information sessions and provide materials for the guests. These will also be incorporated into the Island's already highly successful Junior Rangers program for the younger guests," he continued.

The Foundation is even hoping to be able to buy a turtle stretcher for the Island this year which will help volunteers to move trapped or stranded turtles with minimal stress.

In future years the program hopes to set up live webcams which will follow the nesting and hatching real time online. An acoustic telemetry project is also in the early stages of discussion which will allow satellite trackers to be attached to selected turtles to follow their movements and log the data on their migration.

The Foundation and the Resort are hoping these projects will be supported by guest donations. Just a $10 optional contribution on check out will allow the Sea Turtle Foundation to ensure there are 'turtles for tomorrow'.

Heron Island is a true coral cay that sits right on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and boasts amazing snorkelling and diving all year round, just minutes from the beach.

For reservations to visit during turtle season please call: 1300 233 432 or +61 3 9426 7540 www.heronisland.com

Notes to editors:

From November through to March every year, a breeding population of turtles comes ashore on Heron (www.heronisland.com) to nest, approximately three to seven times during a season. The turtles lay their eggs in the area where they were born, laying on average 120 eggs in one clutch.

As early as Christmas each year, Heron Island offers the captivating opportunity to see one of life's natural wonders up close, the hatching of the early nests. By Easter, thousands of baby turtles will have emerged from their nests to make the annual scurry to the safety of the sea.

With careful guidelines in place to protect these ancient mariners, guests can observe the action on a casual walk around the island's beaches.

Turtles migrate to Heron Island from as far afield as the Solomon Islands, Cape York and Harvey Bay, returning 35 to 40 years after their birth here. Green turtles are the most common turtles around the island and are characterised by a high, domed shell and a smaller jaw than loggerhead turtles.

Loggerhead turtles have large jaws used for crushing the shells of crustaceans and molluscs and their shell is less domed in shape. Loggerheads only make up around 1%-2% of the breeding population on Heron Island, which comprises18-hectares and lies 72km off the coast of Gladstone.

Heron Island Resort is owned by Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts, owners of Australian resorts including Wilson Island, El Questro, Lizard Island and Kings Canyon Resort.

Heron Island Celebrates Turtle Season

Australia Day 'Most important' for Nation

AN overwhelming majority of Australians have nominated Australia Day as the most significant day on the national calendar.

Almost nine in 10 people plan to celebrate the national holiday commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 in some way, a survey by the National Australia Day Council shows.

It found 93 per cent of people named Australia Day as a day of importance - more than any other national celebration.

More than five million Australians plan to attend public events on January 26 including breakfasts, concerts, fireworks and celebrations of indigenous culture.

Council chief executive Warren Pearson said today the survey found many people felt celebrating Australia Day fulfilled a need to be part of a national community.

"Whether it be through attending major events, taking part in a local community celebration or simply getting your friends and family together, Australia Day plays a significant role in our sense of belonging, unity and identity," he said in a statement.

Australia Day 'Most important' for Nation

Qantas Announces Miranda Kerr as New Qantas Ambassador

Qantas has announced Australian model, author and international superstar Miranda Kerr as a new Qantas Ambassador.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said he was delighted to welcome Miranda to the Qantas team.

"Miranda Kerr is one of the most photographed and recognisable people in the world," he said.

"Apart from her work commitments as an international model and businesswoman, Miranda will now represent Australia's premium airline."

"Miranda will make an outstanding contribution to the airline, the brand and its global reputation for premium service and excellence."

Ms Kerr said she was honoured to be chosen as a Qantas Ambassador.

"I grew up with Qantas which is such an iconic Australian brand. I'm proud of my Australian heritage and I'm so excited that I will now be able to represent Australia's premium airline around the world

"I travel frequently and from the moment I step onboard a Qantas flight I feel at home. I always enjoy the wonderful service, fabulous food and stylish cabins."

Miranda will tonight attend the Qantas Spirit of Australia cocktail event in Los Angeles. The party will celebrate Australian talent on the world stage and will be attended by actors, artists, designers, chefs and sports stars that represent the best of modern Australia wherever they go.

Miranda joins current Qantas ambassadors John Travolta, Cathy Freeman, Mark Webber, Greg Norman, Mark Schwarzer and John Eales.

Qantas Announces Miranda Kerr as New Qantas Ambassador

What a difference a year makes!

Twelve months ago Ipswich was almost totally under water from the devastating floods that ripped through the Locky


Today is a very different story. The city and its residents are set to swelter with temperature set to reach near 40 degree Celsius.

What a difference a year makes!

Domestic Holidays Pick Up Over Summer

Domestic travel is likely to pick up this year despite the strong Australian dollar, with two in three Aussies planning a local trip over summer.

According to research compiled by a leading travel and lifestyle web site, the appeal of a cheaper international trip is fading with up to 68 percent of respondents planning a holiday around Australia sometime within December, January or February.

Booking data also saw a “significant” surge on summer trips to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide compared to the same period last year.

“The relatively late arrival of hot weather across much of the country has no doubt played its part in inspiring people to make the most of the warmer weather and feel more confident about booking a trip,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“It’s also quite possible that after the stress of the lead-up to Christmas – and spending time with the in-laws, people are re-thinking their need for a holiday!”

Fast approaching Australia Day is also sparking more Aussie travel, with data revealing that bookings for the period between 26 to 28 January up 251 percent on last year.

Popular destinations for the public holiday include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

Domestic Holidays Pick Up Over Summer

Queensland Hotels Bounce Back

A year ago Queensland was hit a double blow from devastating floods and cyclone Yasi.

Twelve months on and tourism in the sunshine state is bouncing back according to local operators.

Australian Bureau of Statistics results show a consistent growth in tourist numbers indicating a positive future for accommodation providers with an increased occupancy rate and average length of stay.

Much of this success comes from Tourism Queensland’s $12 million Nothing Beats Queensland campaign that was released immediately after the summer’s disasters.

Metro Hotels who have three properties in Queensland, have reported a rise in occupancy rates of up to 10 per cent in Gladstone, 12 per cent Brisbane and Ipswich.

The Metro Hotel on Wickham Terrace Brisbane and the Metro Hotel Ipswich International both suffered as a result of last January’s floods. “Luckily, both of these properties are on high ground so they were not directly damaged by the flood waters,” explains Metro Hotels Chief Operating Officer, George Bedwani.

The Metro Hotel and Apartments Gladstone also suffered because of the floods and cyclone Yasi. “Access to Gladstone from the southern and northern parts of the Queensland was completely cut off for a number of days,” said Mr Bedwani. “Gladstone is a mining hub and these natural disasters put a very large dent in their business and ours.”

According to Mr Bedwani, the future is looking positive for Queensland hotels. ”Queensland and Queenslanders are very resilient and the way everyone has pulled together to things up and running again is simply remarkable,” he said.

Hatch Yourself Some Turtle Time - Turtles Queensland

Get set for three months of turtle time this January as hundreds of tiny hatchlings muscle their way out of their sandy nests and make a nightly dash for the warm waters off Mon Repos beach, east of Bundaberg in Queensland.

Just three hours drive south of Gladstone, the turtle encounter which has mesmerised thousands of visitors over the forty years since Mon Repos was classified as the most significant Loggerhead rookery in the South Pacific.

Nightly ranger-guided turtle tours are priced at $10:20 for adults and $5.40 for children (five to 17 years).

According to General Manager of Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism, James Corvan, January is the best time for turtle watchers thanks to the crossover between nesting season, when mature female loggerheads lay eggs and hatching season, when the first baby turtles emerge from their six to eight week incubation period and comically scurry down the beach.

"January offers a double dose of nature with both nesting and hatching a possibility," said Mr Corvan.

"By the end of 2011, around 150 mature loggerhead females had made their way to shore to nest.

"January promises the arrival of even more nesting turtles and at the same time the nightly emergence of hatchlings.

"On one hand, visitors will be able to get within inches of the giant females and watch them lay between 100 and 150 eggs each night. On the other, they will be asked by rangers to form a line-up and shine torches between onto the beach to create a path that will guide the 5 cm hatchlings to the ocean."

The hatching season continues through to the end of March.

Bookings are essential for the nightly Turtle Experience Tours. Please call Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre on (07) 4153 8888, email bookeasy@bundabergregion.org or visit www.bookbundabergregion.com.au.

Hatch Yourself Some Turtle Time - Turtles Queensland

Poppins Gets a Flying Start in Brisbane

After nearly two years on the road perfecting their performance, the cast and crew of Mary Poppins will debut their Brisbane show to the largest ever advance booking in Queensland.

Director of Disney theatrical productions James Thane told AAP the production was thrilled to open on Thursday night in Brisbane, a few hundred kilometers south of Mary Poppins' author PL Travers' birthplace.

"It's a very special moment in the life of the show, internationally, to come back to where the creator of the character was born," he said.

Mr Thane said he had high hopes for the show's success in Brisbane.

"It will be similar to, I think, Melbourne and Sydney where we played to just about 100 per cent capacity."

Verity Hunt Ballard who plays Mary Poppins, told reporters Brisbane audiences can expect a first-rate performance as the cast and crew have perfected the show over the past 18 months.

When asked how she had managed the challenges of playing such an iconic character, she told reporters: "the corset helps".

Matt Lee, a former judge on TV's So You Think You Can Dance, plays Bert, and said it was "mind-blowing" to be involved with such a widely loved production.

"It's such a beautiful story, so wonderfully told by this amazing cast," he told reporters.

Lee said the show's worldwide success would be replicated in Brisbane and that he was eager to return to his performing roots.

"I'm in the biggest forum now for people to judge me," he said. "I love what I do."

The previous ticket sale record for Queensland was held by Wicked, but with nearly 80 per cent of the season's tickets sold before opening, Mary Poppins looks set to fly away with it.

Poppins Gets a Flying Start in Brisbane