Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

No early return likely for St George residents

Updated at 10:00 am on 9 February 2012

Police in Queensland say it's unlikely residents will be allowed back into the town of St George before Saturday.

Flood waters have finally peaked there, with the Balonne River remaining steady at 13.95 metres.

Most of the town's 3000 residents were evacuated during the weekend.

Mayor Donna Stewart says no one can return until sewerage infrastructure is fixed and that can't happen until the flood waters drop.

Meanwhile, Army troops are in Mitchell and Roma to help the clean-up.

About 100 soldiers from Brisbane were sent there on Wednesday.

The ABC reports they were cheered in towns along the way to the flood zone.

Maranoa Mayor Rob Loughnan says the troops received a resounding welcome when they arrived.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand