An emergency declaration has been cancelled after a leaking Queensland dam sparked fears homes could be impacted if a hole in a broken earth wall grew larger.
Locals from several rural properties at Talgai were evacuated on Friday after a landowner spotted the 3.5m hole in the Bolzan dam.
Southern Downs Regional Council on Sunday afternoon said engineering information had been reviewed and an emergency declaration over the dam wall failure had been revoked.
The council said the risk to all but one residence in the town, about 170km southwest of Brisbane, had lowered.
"The residents that have been identified as still at risk will not be able to return to their home this evening, however all other evacuees may return," a council statement said.
Evacuees who have not heard from the council or police have been asked to contact council before returning home.
On Friday night the council issued about 5000 warning messages via SMS after heavy rainfall in the region overfilled the dam.
It's understood the prolonged drought may have caused the dam's clay liner to dry out and crack, leading to a breach in the wall.
Elsewhere, the Bureau of Meteorology says communities around the southern interior should remain cautious of flooding over the coming days.
Major flood warnings are in place for the Georgina River, lower Condamine River, and upper Balonne River.
A moderate flood warning has been issued for Eyre Creek.
Minor flood warnings are in place for the Paroo River, the Dawson River, Charleys Creek, the Moonie River, the Thomson River, Cooper Creek, the Macintyre River, and the lower Weir and Balonne Rivers.
Meteorologist Kimba Wong says Condamine River is likely to peak on Monday at about eight metres, more than three metres higher than the minor flooding level.
"One of the good things to come from all the rain we've had here in Queensland is that some of it will end up trickling into the Murray Darling Basin over the next few weeks," she said.
Meanwhile, residents in the state's far north sweated through a sticky few days as heatwave conditions persist.
"It's been very hot, Cairns got up to about 40C (on Saturday) afternoon and Townsville had a minimum overnight of 29.1C," Ms Wong said.
"Possibly its warmest since 1969."
Temperatures are forecast to ease from Monday as strengthening northwesterly winds bring showers and thunderstorms to much of the north.
Australian Associated Press
