Submission - The Draft Fig Tree Pocket local plan

Our Association viewed with some concern the proposed zoning of land owned by Lone Pine Sanctuary, for low-density housing.

A large portion of this land was not only inundated during the 1974 floods, but when the river broke its bank and changed course upstream from Mandalay, the main flow of water went through this area.  The current was so rapid that emergency service craft would not attempt to cross it.  Had there been homes in the area of concern, they would most likely have been washed away or destroyed.  More importantly, the river broke through the area in question without warning and there may well have been loss of life.

The flood map drawn and published the Survey Office, Department of Lands, Brisbane in February 1974, shows the area as being inundated but it does not show the full extent and boundaries of the inundation accurately.  This is because the main source of information was R.A.A.F photographs taken on January 29th and 30th 1974. 

The flood peaked in this area late in the morning of Monday, January 28th 1974 and levels dropped quite rapidly after that.

Photograph 30 taken on the second R.A.A.F run on January 29th 1974 indicated the area in question was still inundated at that time, but cloud cover blocked a clear view of Lone Pine Sanctuary.

R.A.A.F run 35, photograph 1563, taken on January 30th was taken too late to show flood boundaries as the river had resumed its normal course around Mandalay instead of through it prior to either of these photographs being taken.

Survey markings showing flood boundaries on Fig Tree Pocket road were unfortunately destroyed last year when the Council resurfaced the road.

Since we consider this information to be important, we asked for private photographs and information relating to the 1974 flood to be submitted from Fig Tree Pocket residents in the hope that we could obtain accurate survey starting points.  We have obtained enough information to support our claim that the inundation of the Lone Pine land to be zoned for low density housing was extensive enough to warrant further investigation and research by the Council prior to such zoning becoming part of the Town Plan.

 

References: 

Flood Map of Brisbane, Department of Lands, February 1974

Brisbane River Flood Plain Map of Brisbane and Suburbs, 1975

          R.A.A.F photograph 30, Run 2, 29/1/74 [20,000 ft]

          R.A.A.F photograph 1563, Run 35, 30/1/74 [3,000 ft]

Private photographs taken during the flood

          Statements by persons remaining in the area during the 1974 floods

 

  

Warren Fletcher

President

Mandalay Progress Association Inc.

 

31 August 2001

 Postal Address: c\ 28 Michelangelo Street Fig Tree Pocket 4069

 

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