Floods in Rockhampton don't alarm the hardy locals of Depot Hill, affectionately dubbed "Swampies" because of the number of times their suburb is inundated by the Fitzroy River.
Many old mini-Queenslander homes are elevated on three-foot stilts to keep the floors dry in regular flooding while kayaks are a popular mode of transport for Swampies.
"The water comes in from the north because of the boat ramp, it funnels it all through the street, and then it comes at us from the other direction because of the creeks," Depot Hill mum Toni Hay told AAP.
Rockhampton Regional Council purports to be "very proud" of its restraint in approving development in low-lying areas, but Depot Hill evidently pre-dates that restraint.
The area saw flooding in 2015, and also had major inundations in 2013 and 2011, which puts a 2017 flood event right on the two-year schedule.
The peak was on Monday revised down to nine metres (from 9.4m); however, that's still at the major flood level which will see most of the suburb go under.
Police have urged all in the area to get out and that's what Ms Hay's family will do.
"We'll finish getting everything packed and then we'll go to the evacuation centre (on Tuesday)," she said.
However, many are choosing to stay.
Zac Moss only moved into his Depot Hill rental, on the banks of the Fitzroy, a few months ago but he says he's prepared to wait out the flood.
"I've got everything I need: milk, bread, beer. We'll be right," Mr Moss told AAP.
He had a kayak and an aluminium dinghy with an outboard motor which he planned to get around in once the waters rose.
The Fitzroy Hotel sits at the entrance to the suburb, and patrons are set to arrive in various watercraft as the waters peak on Wednesday.
Publican Tiona McGugian said it had been dubbed the "floatel" during the 2011 floods, the biggest since 1954, and she planned to keep the tradition going.
"They float up in their tinnies right to the door," she told AAP.
"Last time, they never did bread and milk, which I'm going to do this time so it's not just alcoholic beverages."
Ms McGugian had been organising supplies to send north to communities affected by Cyclone Debbie, but would now distribute it locally.
"I feel bad, but we need it now!"
