More gauges mean better warning

The missing link in stronger flood defences for Ipswich and Brisbane is being completed with the last of 11 flood alert gauges being installed to fill in the warning gaps.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said nearly $650,000 had been invested to provide the 11 gauges, with the State and Ipswich City Council putting in about $250,000 each. The Federal Government contributed the remainder.

“The Ipswich City Council identified these locations as gaps in its flood warning system to monitor stream heights and rainfall amounts,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The new gauges will not only protect Ipswich and Goodna’s patch, but through better warning systems, the Brisbane catchment as well.

“There are now about 47 gauges in the Ipswich region and this network will be linked to the Bureau of Meteorology, which it will use to provide flood and weather warnings to the general public and other councils.”

The flood gauges are at:

·         Stirling Rd, Rosewood

·         Deborah Dr, Collingwood Park

·         Redbank Plains Rd, Redbank Plains

·         South Queensborough Pde, Karalee

·         Wards Rd South, Ripley

·         School Rd, Redbank Plains

·         Mount Flinders Road, Peak Crossing

·         Doonans Rd, Grandchester

·         Ipswich-Rosewood Rd, Rosewood

·         near intersection of Brisbane Tce and Lower Stuart St, Goodna

·         Hanlon St, Bundamba (under construction)

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Queensland Regional Director Rob Webb said upgraded alert systems would allow the BoM to quickly supply the information to vulnerable councils and people.

“The more stations equipped with gauging technology, the more informed Council, emergency services and the public will be in relation to local rainfall and flood threats,” Mr Webb said.

“Put simply, the new gauges will provide more detailed local information.”

Mr Crisafulli said Brisbane City Council would also use data from the new gauges to help monitor upstream river heights for emergency management practices.

“When it comes to floods, we’re all in it together,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“When Ipswich cops it, so does Brisbane, and by harnessing local knowhow for the smartest gauge locations and BoM expertise, we can be better warned, not if, but when it floods again.”

[ENDS] 27 October 2013

Media Contact: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332