It’s a grey nomad favourite but heavy Outback rain means that the iconic Birdsville Races won’t be coming under starter’s orders tomorrow as scheduled.
More than 32mm of rain has fallen on the township in remote south-west Queensland today, and organisers have postponed until Sunday the races that were on tomorrow’s race card. At this stage, Saturday’s races are scheduled to go ahead as planned, and the cancellation of the event is not under consideration.
“We’re very focused on doing everything we can to ensure there are Birdsville Races,” Birdsville Race Club vice president, Gary Brook, told the ABC. “We are going to reassess the state of the track and look to get some equipment on there early, in order to drain the water … then, we’ll reassess things from there.”
Despite the deluge, the atmosphere in Birdsville is said to be festive and upbeat.
“There are great people who have come from across Australia, so it’s a good chance to say g’day to your neighbours in the campsite or go and buy a beer with someone down the pub,” said Mr Brook. “Everyone is in good spirits as you’d expect. Everyone is disappointed we won’t be at the course but there’s still plenty of other entertainment in town … fingers crossed we’ll get things up and running for the coming days.”
The publican at the Birdsville Hotel, Darren Collins, told the ABC people were heading to the pub for a beer and some shelter.
“Some people are probably a bit disheartened their campsites are wet and bogged,” he said. “But the majority of people are taking it in their stride and taking it for what it is.”
The Birdsville Developmental Road is currently closed between Windorah and Birdsville.
