Fitzroy River flood is expected to peak at 7.5 m level today

A dry flood, perfectly fine sunny days, no rain, all while the river level is rising in the Fitzroy, causing damage to low-lying areas. Rockhampton residents are attuned to the pattern of a rising river. Its slow climb happens as preparations are quietly made for what seems to be a long wait for the peak.

Today, the Fitzroy edges toward a predicted 7.5‑metre flood level, driven by the lingering effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji. This morning, the river height rose to about 7.1 m. It is rising, and it will get to the predicted level, perhaps slightly higher.

It’s a moderate flood by historical standards. But for a racetrack that is built a stone’s throw away from one of Australia’s largest river systems, even a moderate flood reshapes the daily life of the trainers and staff at Callaghan Park.The Rockhampton Jockey Club has planned for the worst and hoped for the best.

Seven days ago, we implemented the RJC’s Workplace Health and Safety – Flood Plan to mitigate the risk of flood damage to the racecourse and protect our horses, personnel, and vital infrastructure.

Past events have provided the Club and staff with valuable knowledge of flooding, as previous river heights were significantly higher than this one. Using the knowledge of current and past employees and the management committee, we ensured all infrastructure and the horses stabled on track were secure. Most locals don’t need instructions. They’ve lived through enough Callaghan Park floods to know the score: Lift what you can, move what you must, watch the river, and wait.

There’s quite a bit of water pooling in the centre of the track, but at this time, thankfully, the Callaghan Park course proper and main sand training track have hardly been impacted, which is a blessing.

The work of the RJC staff and local participants has not gone unnoticed. The RJC understands that the difference between reactive and proactive comes down to having clear triggers and acting early. We know that floods don’t need to break records to break routines.

Normal daily work is replaced by risk mitigation, getting ready for what’s ahead and the mess the flood is likely to cause.
Horses and trainers are displaced; Callaghan Park trainers have already been off track for a few days now. Horses cannot be worked or trained in their usual environment. It’s a frustrating hardship for all.

The RJC loses trade, and racing participants lose income. It’s emotional fatigue for the racing community, most of whom have lived through these severe natural weather events many times before.

When the Fitzroy water recedes, we hope the clean-up is straightforward, and trainers can return their horses to training, and racing can return to its normal schedule. Hopefully, that will be soon. For the moment, we will manage whatever Mother Nature throws at us.

Don’t be complacent and stay safe everyone.

David Aldred – CEO RJC