Bundaberg’s legal community is facing significant operational disruption as major flooding isolates parts of the city, closes key access routes and forces widespread changes to normal practice routines.
Both bridges linking North Bundaberg to the CBD were closed on Tuesday as the Burnett River reached major flood levels, with water expected to peak between 7.4 metres into Wednesday. The closures have effectively cut the city in half, leaving thousands of residents isolated until waters recede and engineering checks are completed.
District Law Association of Bundaberg President Amanda Weier said the disruption had been immediate and widespread.
“I can’t get into the office today – not because the office is flooded, but because every low‑lying road into the CBD is underwater. Everyone from the northside is cut off. Even once the peak passes, the bridges won’t reopen until the engineers sign off, so we’re likely looking at another full day at least,” she said.
While the courthouse is not threatened by floodwaters, it has closed for the day due to the difficulty of safely accessing the precinct.
“Our firm is on the same street as the courthouse, parallel to the river. The building is fine, but movement around town is the problem,” Ms Weier said. “Some staff made it in from other parts of Bundaberg, but about half the office is working from home.”
Other local firms have closed after losing power – an issue arising in several parts of the city as flooding continues.
The CBD is experiencing significant impact, with several low-lying businesses inundated and the main shopping centre and its underground carpark under water.
Ms Weier said that, as in previous major events, the flooding had occurred in “the usual places” – but accessibility was a far greater obstacle for law practices than water damage at this stage.
The disruption has already pushed client meetings and court‑related matters into next week.
“Yesterday I had five client meetings booked and three for today, all postponed,” she said.
“A mediation booked for Friday is now up in the air because the estate property involved is under water, and both executors are stuck on the northside.”
Despite the difficulties, Ms Weier said some areas of practice had proved more resilient than in past disasters.
“Conveyancing is manageable thanks to electronic settlements. Ten years ago, with paper settlements, this kind of event would have caused major delays across the region,” she said.
Bundaberg last experienced flooding of this scale in 2013, but the current event is drawing comparisons as more than 400 homes and businesses face inundation, and residents wait for river levels to stabilise. More than 640 roads across Queensland have been affected by the severe weather system, complicating travel and emergency response.
As the city waits for the river to peak and access routes to reopen, Ms Weier says firms are doing what they can to keep matters moving.
“This is the challenge of practising in a regional centre. You adapt where you can, postpone where you must, and wait for the water to go down.”
Queensland Law Society CEO Matt Dunn said the Society was closely monitoring the situation in Bundaberg as flooding continued to disrupt the region.
“Our thoughts are with our colleagues in Bundaberg as the region experience significant disruption. We know many practitioners are balancing client responsibilities with the very real practical challenges of road closures, power outages and safety concerns,” Mr Dunn said.
“The profession has shown extraordinary resilience, and we stand ready to support them in every way we can.”
He said QLS was encouraging any practitioner affected by flooding to reach out for support.
“We encourage any practitioner who is feeling overwhelmed or whose practice has been significantly affected to reach out,” Mr Dunn said.
“Support is available whether through QLS resources, wellbeing services or professional guidance and we are committed to helping the Bundaberg profession navigate this period.”
If a practice has been affected by the current flooding, the following resources may assist firms to navigate ongoing disruption:
- Guidance for law practices where documents have been affected by flooding or extreme weather conditions;
- A Business Continuity and Succession Planning Guide and other practice management resources;
- The natural disaster response checklist and contingency planning checklist could also assist firms planning their response in any disaster situation.
Don’t forget to consider the following also:
- Ensure your back-ups (re: files) are up to date and a copy is in a safe, accessible location;
- Check your safe custody documents are in a place that will not be affected by floods;
- Secure remote access for you and your staff (WFH);
- Consider an off-line version of your key dates calendar if power/internet is down.
QLS members also have access to Converge International Telehealth/critical incident support or crisis counselling. To access this service call 1300 687 327 or Rapid Response / Critical Incident – Converge International.
If members require assistance or would like to discuss how to prepare practices in the event of an emergency, contact the QLS Ethics and Practice Centre via ethics@qls.com.au or 3842 5843.
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