http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-29/live-flooding-disaster-hits-australias-east-coast/4488032
Follow our live blog for the latest coverage (All times in Brisbane time AEST):
4:30pm:
The North Burnett Regional Council says Gayndah residents are requested to stop using water except for essential purposes as the water storage tanks are almost empty.
The council is currently experiencing difficulties maintaining essential water levels at current usage rates.
It says water should only be used for hygiene purposes and drinking.
Residents are also advised to boil water prior to use.
4:24pm:
The ABC's Caitlyn Gribbin has sent this photo from an evacuation centre in Bundaberg:
PHOTO: Diana and Ruby wait for flooding to recede at a Bundaberg evacuation centre on January 29, 20...
4:21pm:
Bundaberg authorities say they expect more properties to be flooded this afternoon.
The level at the Burnett River has stayed at 9.5 metres since 11am.
Weather bureau hydrologist David Berry says they are still monitoring the water level.
"It's difficult to call a peak in these situations until [the levels] start to drop," he said.
Forty-one Bundaberg patients are being treated at hospitals in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
A Hercules plane remains on standby to evacuate a further 60 patients.
A total of 160 military personnel from Brisbane are on their way to the city to assist emergency authorities in the worst-affected areas.
4:03pm:
While Grafton residents are relieved the town's levee has held back a record 8.08-metre flood peak, concern has now turned to communities further downstream who will be affected in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Many communities have been cut off by floodwaters including Ulmarra, Cowper and Brushgrove.
There is widespread flooding at Ulmarra and the river is expected to peak at Maclean later tonight.
The Pacific Highway between Ballina and Grafton is closed to traffic in both directions and could be cut off for days.
The ABC's Jeff Waters filed this report earlier this afternoon:
VIDEO: Water levels dropping in Grafton (ABC News)
3:50pm:
More than 40 properties may be at risk of inundation on the northern Gold Coast between 6pm and 8pm.
The council is monitoring the Alberton area where the Logan and Albert rivers meet.
Mayor Tom Tate says 18 properties could be inundated to floor level and owners are on standby to evacuate.
He says he visited the area earlier today and says safety messages are not being heeded.
"I witnessed myself the message of 'if it's flooded, forget it' hasn't quite got through," he said.
"There was a tractor out there crossing over and it appeared it was going to stall, and with a bit of luck it came through.
"Now if that tractor had stalled right in the middle, we would have had to find a larger tractor to pull that one out."
3:41pm:
Here is video of Campbell Newman's press conference earlier this afternoon when he said the floodwaters were nearing their peak in Bundaberg.
He also warned of the need for people in the greater Brisbane area to conserve water as treatment pl...here
VIDEO: Queensland floods update from Premier Newman (ABC News)
3:32pm:
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