The Queensland Government will invest $4 million into technical investigations for Bundaberg’s 10-year Action Plan for flood mitigation projects to improve safety.
Minister for Local Government, Mark Furner, said this is the start of a significant flood safety project for Bundaberg, and represents the first steps in a coordinated plan to assess what’s achievable to reduce the impact of flooding, where possible, during extreme weather events.
“We will never completely eliminate flooding in Bundaberg, but what the 10-year Action Plan will do is focus on four projects with the biggest potential to deliver the best possible safety benefits for affected residents and businesses,” Mr Furner said.
“We’re about to see boots and high-viz on the ground with the Palaszczuk Government putting $4 million on the table to get investigation work moving as part of our election commitment to the people of Bundaberg.”
Four projects identified by the Queensland Government’s Bundaberg Flood Protection Study will be investigated by the 10-year Action Plan, including:
- Bundaberg East Levee – moderate to high flood mitigation for parts of Bundaberg East, South and CBD
- Bundaberg North evacuation route – improved road access for Bundaberg North and Goomburra
- Upper floodplain evacuation improvements – improved road access for Goodnight Scrub, Morganville, Pine Creek, Givelda and Electra
- Floodway house purchase scheme – land purchases or land swaps in selected Bundaberg North locations
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Glenn Butcher, said the first contingent of geotechnical and engineering experts would soon arrive in Bundaberg.
“These are the experts who will be assessing what’s possible and what’s practical as part of the tender process,” Mr Butcher said.
“For the successful contractors, it will be their job to get started on the geotechnical investigations, engineering design concepts and early costings we’ll need for further community discussion on the best options for Bundaberg.
“We’ll see drilling rigs at work over the next few months as these early investigations get under way to guide our decisions about future potential flood mitigation projects in partnership with local residents.”
Member for Bundaberg, Leanne Donaldson, said the four projects to be explored by the 10-year Action Plan were the result of extensive community feedback.
“As a community we all know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution that will flood proof Bundaberg, but what we can do is become better prepared and more resilient,” Ms Donaldson said.
“The projects the experts will assess are those that have been identified by the Bundaberg Flood Protection Study and the feedback of local residents, many of whom have a long association with our city.
“We’ll be asking the community for ongoing input on what’s delivered and how it is delivered through the 10-year Action Plan website and the community information hub in my electorate office.
“It’s an important step in building a safer, more resilient city.”
