Chris Garry | 14th January 2011
The flooded Ipswich Motorway at Goodna on Thursday became a causeway.
Two bull sharks have been spotted swimming in flooded streets in Goodna.
Two bull sharks have been spotted swimming past the McDonald’s restaurant in Goodna.
Goodna butcher Steve Bateman saw one of the sharks swimming through the flooded waters of Williams Street near his bucher’s shop in the St Ives shopping centre yesterday.
There were several reports of another shark spotted in Queen Street, the main street through Goodna.
Bull sharks have been spotted in the Goodna sections of the Bremer River previously, with fishermen regularly catching them from the Goodna boat ramp.
Ipswich councillor for the Goodna region Paul Tully said while it may sound almost too bizarre to be real, the shark sighting was valid.
“It would have swam several kilometres in from the river, across Evan Marginson Park and the motorway,” Cr Tully said.
“It’s definitely a first for Goodna, to have a shark in the main street.
“I know Steve (Bateman) and he wouldn’t say he saw a shark unless he really saw one.
“It’s not like there have been polar bears or crocodiles spotted.
“Bull sharks have been in Goodna for a long time in the Bremer.
“They are regularly in the Brisbane River and often swim up. I know a number of fishermen who have caught bull sharks.”
State Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller also backed Mr Bateman’s bull shark sighting.
“Steve wouldn’t lie about something like that. He’s very well known in the community.”
Bull sharks are the third most likely shark to attack a human being. They are noted for their aggressive behaviour and often swim in shallow waters along coasts and rivers.
Mr Bateman was not available for comment.
Goodna was awash with water eight metres deep during the past 48 hours. The water receded dramatically overnight.
Police evacuated people from a large area of Goodna as large quantities of flammable gas spewed into the air yesterday.
Chuck comment: I think bull sharks can operate either in fresh or salt water. I read in the Washington Post that two big ones were just caught in the Chesapeake Bay.
I can see the insurance claim now: "Drank 12 XXXX stubbies at the pub. Left pub, waded across street. Bit by shark."
There has been a lot rain here lately and that means a lot of trees have gotten washed down the Molonglo River and into Lake Burley-Griffin. Look at the piles of driftwood pulled out of Yarralumla Bay just opposite our house:
OK - here are a few more photos for the flood-obsessed.
More in a bit.
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