Toowoomba shores up flood defences

The risk of raging floodwaters carrying away cars and smashing shops in Toowoomba’s city centre will be reduced with the fast tracking of cash to fix the Goggs Street flood zone.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli announced in Toowoomba $1,836,000 towards Goggs Street drainage infrastructure upgrades, as part of the State’s flood plan.

“We’re carrying out the most ambitious infrastructure plan in a generation,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It will mark a turning point for communities threatened by flooding, and to achieve that, it has to be community led.

“Locals know best what their community needs to protect it, and we’ll drive maximum value from the funds that we’ve got to deliver those defences.”

In the 2011extreme flood, 17 businesses in Goggs Street went under as water raced down the street and into West Creek. Almost 100 homes in the catchment were damaged and 37 businesses including a medical centre were flooded.

The $4.59 million Toowoomba Regional Council project will build a new 162 metre stormwater pipe to replace the existing drainage system.

Council estimates that each year there is more than a 50 percent chance the current Goggs Street drain will not cope in a downpour, threatening businesses and homes with repeat flooding.

Mr Crisafulli also announced nearly $100,000 for an Oakey flood warning system.

“This year we’ve streamlined the application process so councils can submit one application for three State flood funds, and that money will get out to communities as quickly as possible,” he said.

“After years of government inaction, we’re going to help deliver the projects people need to defend themselves against flooding.”

[ENDS] 27 August 2013

Media contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627