Floods begin to recede in Aust.

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 9

Floods begin to recede in Aust.

NZPA Canberra The flood crisis appeared yesterday to have passed in Queanbeyan, about 10 kilometres east of Canberra, and the big mop-up operation had begun. The 5000 residents evacuated on Saturday began to return to their homes after spending two nights in emergency shelters in the city of 22,000. Many of them were evacuated twice — once on Saturday before the river peaked at near-record levels, and again on Sunday when the waters again rose quickly. They are faced with masses of debris and layers of mud in their homes and Streets. An estimated 400 houses

and flats were affected by water, and the Queanbeyan Council estimates that up to $300,000 worth of damage was done to council property alone. The Mayor of the city, Mr Fred Land, said he would open an appeal, and the state Government has promised as much assistance as possible. Two state Ministers who visited the area on Sunday, Mr Ron Mulock (Justice and Services), and Mr Peter Cox (Transport) are to put a report to the cabinet today. State emergency service officials in Queanbeyan early yesterday ~ said the water was about two metres below the Googong dam, eight kilometres up the Queanbeyan River from the city. The level was still falling.