Queensland flood funding announced

Two years after record rains wreaked havoc across Queensland, the State Government has announced a range of funding for local governments to help local communities strengthen their defences against floods, including the relocation of the Mitchell Pump Station in the Maranoa area.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli announced $13.4 million worth of projects to help councils deliver the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendations.

It is the first instalment of a $40 million fund to be rolled out over the next three years.

“The state’s local councils are in the best position to deliver what’s needed to protect their communities against future floods,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“We’ll do our bit to help them by getting the money from this year’s budget out to them as soon as possible.

“In a state like Queensland, no one can afford to be complacent about preventing damage from natural disasters.

“It’s not a matter of “If” there’s the next big flood, it’s a matter of being prepared when it happens.”

Funding announced included:

• $2.3 million for Lockyer Valley Regional Council for a 3 kilometre levee around Forest Hill and a 7 kilometre levee around Laidley, overland flow maps for Plainland, Gatton South and Summerhorn areas, a comprehensive flood study for Regency Downs, and planning and approvals to increase Gatton Creek capacity
• $3.5 million for Maranoa Regional Council for a 6.5 kilometre levee in Roma, rainfall intensity monitoring gauges, and the relocation of the Mitchell pump station
• $163,260 for Balonne Shire Council to stop backflow from drains in St George and Mungindi, a flood pump for the Dirranbandi levee, and council disaster co-ordination software
• $1.6 million for Brisbane City Council for flood studies and gauges in the Brisbane River at Moggill, Jindalee, Fairfield/Tennyson and Bulimba/Hawthorne. Flood gauge boards will also be erected along Edward Street in Brisbane City.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk welcomed the funding and said the four new gauges would provide more effective flood forecasting, and would take the total number in Brisbane to 70.

“This is about safety. Last weekend’s storms were a timely reminder to us all about the weather’s unpredictability, and that we need to be prepared for future flooding events,” Cr Quirk said.

“We’re committed to delivering the recommendations handed down by the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, and this is another cab off the rank.

The Lord Mayor said an added benefit to the new gauges was their locations, up to 80 metres back from the river to decrease the chances of damage. Should other gauges fail, they may also provide back up.

“We’ve listened to residents and these gauges will be strategically located in flood-prone areas to ensure comprehensive information is available throughout the city,” he said.

The Lord Mayor said Brisbane City Council would contribute $151,500 towards the gauges.

He said the gauge stations were solar powered and completely automated, sending information back to Council via radio technology.

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