Officials are keeping a close watch on flood levees protecting a town bordering Queensland and New South Wales as water levels creep within 40cm of their 11 metre limit.

The water is starting to recede in Queensland but the body count continues to rise in the devastated Lockyer Valley region where dozens of people remain missing.

NZ's Civil Defence team was back on the move in flood-ravaged Queensland today after spending a frustrating day off confined to one of the state's isolated communities.

Flooding has left a valley to the west of Brisbane looking like a war zone, with Australian troops steeling themselves for expected ‘terrible outcomes’ as they move into the devastated area.

The threat of looting is making Queensland flood victims reluctant to evacuate their properties.

Brisbane's mayor has called on residents to 'put the shoulder to the wheel' and help clean up.

The frightening power of the brown surge heading towards Moreton Bay leaves no mistake about the devastation that this flood has done.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef, one of the ecological wonders of the world, may also be severely affected by the Queensland floods.

A flood survivor has described trying to grab people fighting for their lives only to find they were bodies in turbulent water.

A NZ woman watched in horror as a wall of water swept through the tiny town of Murphys Creek, throwing debris around 'like matchsticks'.

Watch livestreaming footage of the flooded Brisbane River, due to peak at 7am New Zealand time.

The death toll from flooding in the Toowoomba region has risen to 12 with the discovery of two more bodies, while the full impact of the flood terror is now reaching the town of Grantham, where up to 30 could be dead.

The Government is considering a range of measures to assist in flood-ravaged Queensland.