There are plenty of things that you can do to prepare yourself, your family and your property for disasters in the form of storms and fires, our two most common threats.
Check out the Springbrook Local Disaster Management Committee on Facebook and Instagram. They have detailed information about whats happening, what to do, when to leave and where to go. There is also a text system in place run by the Local Disaster Management Committee. Ask a local to connect you into it.
Springbrook Disaster Management Socials Facebook Page Instagram Page
During heavy rain events, the Austinville Causeway can go under quite quickly. If you need to travel on the Springbrook-Mudgeerabah Road, (the "Front Road") during heavy rain it pays to check the Flood Watch website to see if the road is passable or not. Remember, If its flooded, Forget it.
You can also subscribe to this page and get text alerts direct to your phone as it rises and recedes.
Flood watch - Mudgeerabah Creek at the Austinville Causeway
We also have a causeway at Purlingbrook Creek between Llyods Road and Carricks Road. This causeway can also go under quickly and recede just as quickly. Remember If its flooded, Forget it. You can always get to the top part of the mountain via Lyre Bird Ridge Road - if there are no trees down across the road.
The Springbrook Rural Fire Brigade is the agency in charge of most weather or fire emergencies on the mountain as they come under the Auspices of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and act on their behalf.
Storms and fire often lead to a loss of power and in Springbrook, that also means water supply for most people. Many residents get a petrol powered generator or solar system with batteries that helps get them through any power cuts without a loss of quality of life! Others have gas stoves, fire places, torches, candles and keep a phone power bank recharger ready just in case. Depending on the cause and the damage done, power can be off anywhere from a few hours, to a few days.
After the power goes out, we lose our water and often modem/internet immediately (if you don't have a generator or battery back up) and after about six hours, our local Telstra Tower batteries will run out and mobile signal will be lost. You can often pick up a tower from one of the lookouts to get messages and calls connected. It pays to let loved ones living off the mountain know that during severe weather events that you may lose communication. Text them when the power goes out and then contact them afterwards to let them know you are ok so they don't call the emergency services to report you unaccounted for.
Both of our access roads, Pine Creek Road (the Back Road) and Springbrook- Mudgeeraba Roads (the Front Road), can be cut off during a storm by fallen trees. Various facebook sites such as the Springbrook Mountain Community Association and the Springbrook Local Disaster Management Committee pages will have information about access and closures. Always drive slowly on the mountain, especially in bad weather as trees can fall suddenly and block the road. Some roads are managed by the City of Gold Coast Council and some by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. They will be up to remove the trees as soon as it is safe to do so using a priority system. They usually clear the easiest road first and come back to do the other road at a later time.
If you see any trees down across the roads, please call the TMR emergency line 131940 for Springbrook Road and the City of Gold Coast emergency line 1800637000 for the smaller Roads. They will send someone up fairly quickly after the storm subsides to deal with it. Technically, our local guys cant deal with trees on the road until directed to by decorative epaulet wearing persons!
Should an emergency be affecting the mountain, the Springbrook Rural Fire Brigade will assume the leadership role and activate their members. The Fire Shed on Carricks Road is their base and the public are not to enter these premises. The Springbrook Community Hall next door on Carricks Road will be opened for information and support and manned by trained locals for those needing support, physically and emotionally. Signs indicating that the hall is open for support and information will be placed outside to indicate that it is operational.
The mountains First Responders and Ambulance will also be based out of the Fire Shed, Call 000 or 112 from a mobile if you have an medical emergency situation or come to the hall to get the ambulance activated if you have no phone reception.
The Springbrook State School on Springbrook Road is the State Government declared "Safer Place" and is where an evacuation center will be set up in case people need to leave their homes for any reason. You are unable to bring pets or animals to this evacuation centre. There will be signs put out indicating that the school has become a formal evacuation centre.
If a storm is pending, check you have the following items:
- Torch & batteries (or Candles and matches)
- Water in jugs for drinking.
- Pets are secure
- Check you have food for a few days
- Put your car under cover
- Appropriate clothing
- Unplug expensive appliances
- Check on your neighbors
These websites have great information for preparing you and your family for a disaster.
City of Gold Coast Council Emergency Check list
Queensland Fire & Emergency download Library
When the power is out for longer than 24 hours, the Springbrook LDMC will turn on the emergency generator and open the hall from about 8am for showers, recharging phones etc, information and help of any kind. There will be a Starlink connection available too. Physical signs outside the hall will alert you to opening times but check social media (SMCA and Springbrook LDMC) if you can. That's where correct, local, timely information will be.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER LIST
* Emergency Help
Fire Police or Medical Emergency call
000
*Bureau of Meterology
www.bom.gov.au
*Flood Watch for Mudgeeraba creek at Austinville
https://floodwatch.com.au/station.php?s=540440
*Trees on Roads (to report)
TMR 131940
Council 1800637000
*State Emergency Services for help with storm damage
132500
*Enegex for downed powerlines and emergencies
13 19 62
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