Wet season in full swing

By Cr Heath Paton

The wet season has certainly been in full swing around our region to start off the year.

January and February typically bring the highest rainfall totals, driven by tropical systems and monsoonal flows, and while meteorologists anticipated aboveaverage falls, the increased cases of flooding across the Pioneer Valley, coastal lowlands and surrounding rural areas has impacted many.

During and after heavy rainfall, floodwaters present serious dangers even for experienced motorists and residents who know the roads well. It’s crucial to reinforce the “If it’s flooded, forget it” message. Just 30cm of moving water can wash away a small vehicle, and flooded roads often hide damaged surfaces, deep potholes or fast underwater currents.

With Eungella and the highlands as our backdrop, rapid rises can occur from upstream rainfall with very little warning to those near creeks and drainage channels, increasing the risk of both danger and isolation.

Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to stay safe during our wet season. Residents are encouraged to make full use of council’s Emergency Dashboard, which provides realtime updates on road conditions, weather warnings, flood cameras and storm tide information. Council also offers an optin notification system, allowing residents to receive emergency alerts directly to their phones or inboxes – an invaluable tool during severe weather events. By subscribing, locals can ensure they’re receiving accurate, timely information from an official source throughout the season.

While Mackay’s summer rains are vital for agriculture, water supply and the lush landscapes our region is known for, they also come with operational challenges across council’s outdoor teams. A huge shoutout must go to our mowing crews, who have been working tirelessly between showers to keep parks, roadsides and public spaces under control. With constant rain and intense growing conditions, staying on top of mowing is no small feat, and their efforts help keep our region tidy and safe.

We also extend our appreciation to our Vector Control crews, who have been monitoring and treating key mosquito hotspots across the region. Persistent rainfall creates ideal breeding conditions, and their proactive surveillance and treatment programs play a crucial role in reducing mosquito populations and protecting community health.

By staying informed, staying prepared and looking out for one another, our community can remain safe and resilient throughout the 2026 wet season.  And, in the meantime, I’m off to mow my yard because while I typed this, it just grew another 10cm!  

Let’s Chat – Council Connect

Residents can catch up with councillors in person at upcoming Let’s Chat - Council Connect sessions held across the region.  The next session will be held at Midge Point Tavern on Tuesday, March 3.

Details on upcoming sessions can be found on the Connecting Mackay website.

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