Urandangi residents consider future as outback Queensland town 'wiped off map' by floods

The small town of Urandangi was founded in 1885. (Supplied: Urandangi Hotel)

On the banks of the Georgina River, set against a backdrop of vast, red plains, the small town of Urandangi celebrates its 138th birthday this year.

Founded in 1885 as a hub for the Northern Territory and Queensland droving industries, the country town remains an important centre, servicing outlying cattle stations, tourists and the dozen locals who love the simple outback life.

But it could be the last time residents tread its streets after record floods destroyed everything.

Floodwater inundated the town in March. (Supplied: Tobermorey Station)

Earlier this month, water levels rose over 7 metres in the town, sparking the evacuation of the entire community.

The few who have returned to survey the damage say there is no future.

The handful of residents in Urandangi, pictured here with media personality Ray Martin, are deciding whether to relocate or rebuild. (Supplied: Pam Forster, file photo)

"The town has been wiped off the map," Neil Thompson, who runs the Urandangi Pub, said.

The building is also the post office, grocery store, Centrelink and petrol station.

Urandangi was barely visible in the floods that inundated the region in early March. (Supplied: Tobermorey Station)

It has been damaged beyond repair.

"It's the heart of the community. If there's no pub, there's no town," Mr Thompson said.

"There will be no school for the kids. It's finished.

"Maybe someone wants to come out here and rebuild it, but I can't."

Mr Thompson with some of the children who live in Urandangi. (ABC North West Qld: Emily Dobson)

Houses in the town have been decimated, mobile connectivity is lost, and there is no water after the bore collapsed.

Evacuated residents were offered emergency refuge in the neighbouring city of Mount Isa, with many yet to return to Urandangi.

Mr Thompson says the town will fold without the local pub. (ABC North West Qld: Emily Dobson)

The local council said it planned to have a discussion with residents about the town's future.

"We are working to tidy things up. QBuild and Telstra are on site looking at trying to restore some of the services and we are trucking in water," Boulia Shire Council Mayor Rick Britton said.

"We don't know what is going to happen to the school, the pub, the health clinic," he said.

"We're looking at ... whether to rebuild or relocate."

Floodwater reached more than 30cm inside the Urandangi pub. (Supplied: Neil Thompson)

Iconic bush towns disappearing

It is with a heavy heart that Mr Thompson looks to farewell Urandangi after calling it his home for the past three years.

He said the death of the town would signal an end to an iconic bush existence that was rapidly disappearing across Australia.

"It really is a forgotten part of the world. You ask for basic services out here but those requests just get swept under the rug," he said.

"It's a simple life here, but it's a life we love — you cannot buy this. And now, it's all gone."

Locals enjoy the simple, outback life on offer in Urandangi. (Supplied: Pam Foster)

Urandangi is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle. (ABC North West Queensland: Eric Barker)

Boulia Shire Council is collecting information about the viability of rebuilding Urandangi and is hoping to work with residents to reach a decision about the town's future by the end of April.