Laidley flood levee on track for completion next month

Published Thursday, 03 July, 2014 at 09:10 AM

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Laidley families and businesses will be better protected from potential floods this summer with the construction of the Narda Lagoon Levee.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney inspected construction work at the Laidley site yesterday with Member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss and Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Steve Jones. 

“The flooding events of 2010-2011 and 2013 were tragic for residents in the Lockyer Valley,” Mr Seeney said.

“We’re carrying out the most ambitious infrastructure plan in a generation with council to deliver better flood protection measures for Laidley.

“The Laidley Township Flood Mitigation plan is being funded through $850,000 from the Queensland Government’s Royalties for the Regions program.

“These critical projects deliver on our strong plan to build better infrastructure and a brighter future for this region.”

Member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss said it was great to see work progressing well on the Narda Lagoon Levee and that it was on schedule to be completed next month.

“The Narda Lagoon Levee should assist in managing flood events, particularly smaller events, and will provide vital time for residents to take appropriate action during major flood events,” Mr Rickuss said.

“Design work is also underway on the larger project, a levee for the Laidley CBD.

“Original flood investigations commenced in the early 2000s by the Laidley Shire Council and it is good to see some culmination of these flood works being delivered by our government now in partnership with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council. 

“Regional infrastructure was ignored by Labor, so it’s great to finally see investment flowing into our region.”

Mayor Jones said these works would lessen the impact of moderate flooding events, but it was difficult to find a solution to protect the town in larger floods.

“Council is grateful for the funding from the State Government through the Royalties for the Regions program for these works which will assist low-lying areas of Laidley in times of moderate rainfall events,” Mr Jones said.

“The unfortunate reality with the Laidley township is that it was built on a floodplain and it is very difficult to find a cost-effective solution to stopping the large floods like we’ve seen throughout Laidley’s history including 2011 and 2013. 

“Council will continue to work in partnership with the community to do all it can to find ways to improve drainage and build structures which lessen the impacts of floods through Council’s Laidley Township Flood Mitigation Plan.

“The Narda Lagoon Levee, Storr Street drain and CBD preparatory work are projects which are the first steps in the larger plan to protect Laidley into the future.

“We thank the State Government for this funding and look forward to potential future funding becoming available to assist council to undertake the entire flood mitigation plan.”

[ENDS] 3 July 2014

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