Flood money for Sunshine Coast

Two years after record rains wreaked havoc across Queensland, the Newman Government has announced funding for Sunshine Coast Regional Council to strengthen the community’s defences against floods.

Council has received $310,400 from the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program-Flood Response 2012-2013 to install extra stream and rain gauges on the Mary River, Kin Kin Creek, Crystal Waters and Pomona, and a back-up repeater station on Radar Hill at Nambour.

Hazard maps will also be developed for the region.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said its vital work gets underway as soon as possible.

“These projects will help Council prepare for flooding and warn the community ahead of time,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The data will be sent to the Bureau of Meteorology and posted online as part of the rainfall and river information for Coochin Creek and the Mooloola, Maroochy, Noosa and Mary Rivers.

Councils across the State will share in $13.4 million this year to 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 73 councils are in the best position to deliver what’s needed to protect their communities against future floods.

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

 “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.”

[ENDS] 26 November, 2012

Media Contact: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332

                            Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627