Tag Archives: oceania

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Discounted water for Queenslanders as dam levels released

Queenslanders who have endured years of water restrictions are being encouraged to "wash their driveways" as the state's largest dam releases thousands of litres ahead of the storm season.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced 116,000 megalitres of water will be released in a "safe and controlled manner" from Wivenhoe dam to reduce its level from 90 to 80 per cent.

"We are starting to prepare for storm season by reducing dam levels at Wivenhoe to 80 per cent. This will begin on 15 October for two weeks," Palaszczuk said in a tweet.

READ MORE: Warning of once-in-50-year flood as satellite shows rain threat

"This is an early attempt to prepare for storm season based on Bureau of Meteorology and expert advice."

It comes as part of the state's flood mitigation strategy ahead of the storm season.

Palaszczuk said the state "must be ready for worst" while it looks on to NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as floodwaters hit the regions early.

Palaszczuk also announced water bills will be reduced for all homes connected to the south-east Queensland water grid.

Households will receive a $55 discount on their water bills or the equivalent of two weeks of water for free.

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https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1580350451324948480

She said this will be applied to 1.38 million homes across Brisbane, Redlands, Logan, Gold and Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Somerset, Scenic Rim and Moreton Bay.

"It allows for the use of 13,200 litres of free water for each of those homes and families," she said.

"That's about double the normal household usage over a fortnight."

READ MORE: Schools closed, train services down as flooding swamps parts of regional Victoria

Hosing garden, car, tap water and sink

Palaszczuk encouraged Queenslanders to "make the most of this opportunity and Gerni away".

"Gerni the driveway, wash down the house, clean out your gutters, wash your cars and was your dog," she said.

The discount will apply to water bills before December and be rolled out before March.

READ MORE: When will the rain end? Hint, it's not good news

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Lamborghini driver spared jail over crash that killed teen

An Adelaide man who lost control of a high-powered Lamborghini, killing a teenage pedestrian after it mounted a kerb, has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

In the South Australian District Court today, Alexander Campbell was given a four-month and 27-day sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated driving without due care.

But Judge Paul Muscat suspended the term, placing him on a good behaviour bond as well as ordering him to perform 200 hours of community service.

READ MORE: Warning of once-in-50-year flood as satellite shows rain threat

Campbell will also remain banned from driving for another year.

In August, Muscat acquitted the 35-year-old on a more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial by judge alone.

Sophia Naismith, 15, died when Campbell's Lamborghini Huracan mounted a kerb and struck her and a friend before crashing into the door of a restaurant in June 2019.

The two girls had been walking along a footpath at the time.

In reasons for his verdict, Muscat said it was not suggested Campbell was speeding, affected by alcohol or drugs or that the road conditions played a role in the crash.

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He said the issue was why Campbell lost control and whether that amounted to dangerous driving.

At his trial, prosecutors contended Campbell accelerated harshly causing the powerful rear-wheel-drive car to swerve severely to the left.

But in an interview with police, the 37-year-old said when he changed gear while accelerating up to the 60km/h speed limit the wheels started spinning and the Lamborghini moved sideways instantly.

Campbell said he panicked as he was unable to stop the car from sliding, even though he was applying the brakes.

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At the time he was driving in sport mode with the electronic stability system deactivated making the Lamborghini's handling more unpredictable.

As he was aware of those handling issues, Muscat said Campbell should have taken extra care.

But the judge said he was unable to form a conclusion as to whether the acceleration was harsh or something less.

Outside court, Sophia's family said they were sickened and appalled by the sentence and would never understand how someone could kill an innocent pedestrian and not go to jail.

"This case has tragically highlighted a broken system that is stacked in favour of the accused and not the victims," her father Luke told reporters.

https://twitter.com/katelambe_/status/1580350128312811521