Ross River Dam statement

Attributable to a Townsville City Council spokesperson:

“Townsville City Council received advice from independent dam safety engineers, an independent hydrologist and Sunwater on the management of the dam – and its spillway gates – during this unprecedented rain event,” the spokesperson said.

“As the Premier has indicated previously, Townsville City Council sought advice and worked cooperatively with all applicable agencies – including Sunwater – in relation to the early release of water from the Ross River Dam.

“The Townsville floods were much bigger than a 1 in 100 year event.

“A team of experts is currently analysing the data but it is clear that the flood levels in the Ross River were greater than a 1 in 500 year event.

“There were rainfall totals over parts of the Ross River Dam catchment during the past week that were in excess of 1 in 2000 year rainfall event.”