Brisbane’s Sports Fields Bear the Brunt of Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has unleashed a deluge of heavy rainfall on southeast Queensland, with some areas recording totals exceeding 400mm. Brisbane, the state’s capital, has been particularly hard hit, with parts of the city on high alert for flooding. Waterways have burst their banks, forcing residents to seek higher ground or prepare to evacuate if the situation worsens. This weather event has brought widespread devastation, including over 350,000 homes losing power over the weekend. However, amidst the chaos, some Brisbane residents have found a silver lining in the form of makeshift water parks on their flooded local sports fields, much to the dismay of the sporting clubs.
Kids and Parents Seek Fun Amidst the Flood
Children and their parents have taken to local parks, turning waterlogged sports fields into impromptu aquatic playgrounds. Boogie boards and rubber dinghies are common sights, as families attempt to find a bit of joy in an otherwise challenging situation. One such field is at the Mitchelton Football Club, located in Brisbane’s inner northwest. A parent posted a photo of his children playing on the flooded field, thinking it was a harmless way to pass the time. However, the post quickly sparked controversy, with the club expressing its distress over the damage being caused.
Mitchelton Football Club’s Struggle
The Mitchelton Football Club, already reeling from the 2022 floods that inundated both their clubhouse and fields, is now facing another round of extensive repairs. Club members were shocked and frustrated to see children using boogie boards on their field, which is still saturated and highly vulnerable to damage. One club member commented, "I chased so many kids off the grounds yesterday and today as have other Mitchelton FC staff. Hundreds of thousands of dollars goes into the maintenance of those fields, and it takes just 10 minutes to ruin them." The 2022 floods were a significant blow to the club, which then had to deal with additional damage caused by hoon behavior, further exacerbating their financial and emotional strain.
A Plea for Understanding
Despite the club’s pleas, many Brisbane locals have rallied to defend the parents and children, arguing that they should be allowed to have fun in such dire times. One parent defended his actions, saying, "Was just trying to make the most of a s***y situation to bring a little joy into our lives. I’ll go back to taking photos of bad parking and post my thoughts on Facebook." This sentiment resonated with many others who felt that the club’s response was overly harsh. Comments like "Think the rain will do enough damage, let them have fun" and "How dare kids be kids?" flooded the social media thread, showing a deep divide in the community’s reaction.
The Other Side of the Argument
On the other hand, some residents and community members argued that the parents’ actions were inconsiderate. They pointed out that while the flooded fields might seem like a fun playground, the damage caused is substantial and affects the broader community. One commenter said, "I’m sure you would feel differently if it was your work and money that someone was carelessly ruining." Another added, "There’s some grass on the other side of the fence they can play on and have a great time that would have no impact on thousands of community members." These responses highlight the significant investment and volunteer effort that goes into maintaining sports fields, especially in a city where such facilities are vital for community well-being.
Northern Suburbs Hockey Club Follows Suit
Not just the Mitchelton Football Club, but other sporting clubs in Brisbane have also taken to social media to address the issue. The Northern Suburbs Hockey Club posted a message urging locals to stay off their fields until they dry out. "Every single footstep does damage if the fields are still soft," the club stated. They emphasized the maintenance costs, which include a top dressing done in early January for over $24,000, funded largely by the club itself with minimal support from Brisbane City Council. The club lamented, "It is very disappointing for our members and volunteers who help make this happen when Dorro gets treated like a water fun park." The rain is expected to continue, with isolated showers not returning until Tuesday, and the Bureau of Meteorology’s Jonathan How warns, "Even after the rain does ease, flooding can continue for several days to come."
Balancing Joy and Responsibility
As the community grapples with the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the conflict between allowing children to enjoy the flooded fields and protecting the costly infrastructure of local sporting clubs continues. While the impulse to find moments of levity amid adversity is understandable, the long-term impact of such actions can be detrimental. The debate underscores the need for a balanced approach, where families can find safe and alternative ways to entertain themselves without compromising the resources that many community members rely on for their health and well-being.
