Flood money for Burnett warning and protection

Published Wednesday, 08 May, 2013 at 08:30 AM

Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience
The Honourable David Crisafulli

Two of Queensland’s worst hit areas will soon be better able to warn and protect their residents from future floods.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said local government grants worth nearly $300,000 would expand the Bundaberg region’s flood warning system and complete the first-ever regional flood mitigation study in the North Burnett.

“The Burnett region felt the full force of Mother Nature in January, and while we can never entirely flood-proof these areas, we can do a lot more to help them be prepared,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The recovery and rebuild is steaming ahead but we are just as determined to work with councils to find better ways to warn and protect communities.”

Mr Crisafulli said Bundaberg Regional Council would receive $148,105 to help install five new River Height Stations approved by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) as part of its Flood Monitoring and Warning System.

They will be located at Daveys Drive, Branyan; Booyal Crossing, Booyal; Old Burnett River Bridge, Wallaville; Germanbulyan Creek Bridge, Bungadoo; Cedar Creek Crossing, Cedars Road.

“These stations will feed live data directly to council and BOM 24 hours a day and the Local Disaster Management Group will automatically receive alerts if changes to river height levels are detected,” he said.

“North Burnett Regional Council will also receive $150,000 towards conducting a flood mitigation study of vulnerable towns including Abercorn, Mundubbera, Monto and Eidsvold.

“This will be the first comprehensive flood study ever conducted in the North Burnett despite years of regular flooding.

“It will give council a clearer picture of where to locate early warning systems and how to minimise the impact of future floods on residents, property and infrastructure.”

The projects are being funded through the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.

[ENDS] 8 May 2013

Media Contacts: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332

                            Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627