Major flood protection for Toowoomba CBD

The Toowoomba CBD’s flood resilience will be greatly improved with major stormwater and drainage works to be delivered through the Newman Government’s record investment in flood and disaster mitigation projects to protect Queensland communities.

Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said the $4.5 million project will upgrade stormwater drainage systems on the northern end of Ruthven Street.

“The 2011 floods tore the heart out of more than 200 local businesses and caused hundreds of millions of dollars damage with the city cut off for at least week,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“This work will protect the critical north-south road through the city and keep the roads open, continuing the important work the council is doing to prevent that from happening again.”

The project includes upgrading the Ruthven Street crossing of East Creek from a greater than 10 per cent chance of flooding each year to a one per cent chance of flooding.

Upstream channel works will also significantly reduce flood levels.

Mr Crisafulli said more than 40 councils would spend almost $52 million from the 2014-15 Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Funding program on more than 80 projects.

Projects include new levees and temporary flood barriers, road-raising, major drainage and stormwater upgrades, improvements to evacuation routes and the installation of rainfall and river height warning systems.  

“Our strong plan to protect Queensland communities means we are working with local councils to literally move heaven and earth to protect and prepare homes and livelihoods,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Queenslanders have been pushed to the brink in the past few years and we are doing everything we can to not only protect them but make them stronger.

“The works will also provide a much-needed financial boost to communities through jobs and lower insurance premiums.

“Disasters can strike at any time but the Newman Government’s strong plan to protect communities for the long term will ensure a brighter future for all Queenslanders.”

The 2014-15 Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Funding program is being delivered through the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program-Flood Response, Royalties for the Regions and the joint Federal and State National Disaster Resilience Program.

[ENDS] 17 June 2014

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627