News
6 February, 2024
Ace effort everyone!
A clean-up set to take months has instead been achieved in just days, thanks to the incredible efforts from volunteers including the Rural Fire Brigade and SES.
Caboolture’s Centenary Lakes Sporting Complex resembled a mud bath following last week’s downpour that dropped over 300mm of rain in just hours, leading to flash flooding across the Moreton and Somerset regions.
The Caboolture Tennis Association (CTA) members could only watch in horror as flood water sloshed over the courts, leaving inches deep mud caking on the surface.
All 12 courts were damaged along with the canteen and facilities.
After reaching out to the Rural Fire Brigade for assistance, multiple fire brigades and SES volunteers from across the region band together, in support of the clean-up effort.
Along with the staff, drones, fire trucks and hoses provided by the brigades, Bunnings Morayfield also supplied the club with cleaning supplies, brooms and shovels.
Volunteer, Jason Bouwens, also brought a digger to help clear the mud.
Once damage assessment was completed, the heavy work began under scolding heat.
CTA president, Melissa Bouwens, said she cannot thank Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) enough for their service.
“QFES were absolutely amazing, they assisted from Thursday to Sunday with a heap of crews from all over,” she said.
“It puts us weeks and potentially months, ahead of clean up than usual, thanks to them.”
Despite the strong eff orts and work invested, the courts are still far from being ready for use.
Aside from the final clean and re-sanding of the courts, electrical issues are also in play, with the main switchboard needing to be replaced by council.
Without power, the club’s electric gate, lights and computers are of no use.
CTA administrator, Karen Weaver, said the courts have still not recovered from the 2022 floods and now needed even more money.
“Grants take time, so there is equipment from 2022 we are still waiting on money to replace,” she said. “Now we need more grants for the new damages.”
The Rural Fire Brigades that came out to help included Pumicestone, Wamuran, Rocksberg, Moorina, Brookfield, Stony Creek and Brisbane.
The Rural Fire Brigade and SES also had resources spread out to assist in the clean-up at Bray Park and Samford Bowls Club, areas also heavily affected by the floods.
Rural Fire Brigade staff Jasmine Cassell said while it’s the job, they are very passionate about helping the community.
“Our jobs are to serve the community and help drive it up, so we are happy to be of service.”
The courts are still closed, with no estimated reopening time in sight. Further updates will be posted on the Caboolture Tennis Association Facebook page.
