Council backs Government bid for flood levee funding

Published on 26 April 2017

Council has today unanimously resolved to support the Premier's request to the Prime Minister for funding for the South Rockhampton flood levee.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said in the end Councillors were persuaded by the sound economic case for the levee and by the prospect of continuing disruption in every flood if Gladstone Road is not made flood free. 

“We are delighted with the new overpass and the capacity of the Bruce Highway to stay open but many residents experienced delays and difficulties in moving around the city during the relatively short flood," Mayor Strelow said.

“The diversion of the Bruce Highway to Upper Dawson Road had broad impacts across the city. 

“I hate to think how this would have played out if it hadn't been school holidays. Allenstown School would be almost impossible to access and St Peter's parents would find it difficult too.

“This is a shovel-ready project that we could put out to contract within the next five to six months, but we need support from the Prime Minister to make this happen."

The $60 million project is estimated to create 60 direct jobs in the local Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector. Council also anticipates that there would be significant flow on effects into the local economy creating an additional 135 jobs.

An economic appraisal was undertaken in 2014 to test the economic worth of the project in dollar terms and that study recommended that the project should proceed immediately.

“When combining the reconstruction costs that all three levels of government have paid for the 2011 and 2013 floods and now again this year, the economics stack up. It is without a doubt the most cost-effective solution as disaster management and repair costs continue to increase,” Mayor Strelow said.

Mayor Strelow also added that Council undertook extensive consultation three years ago and was unsuccessful in a subsequent bid for funding at that time.

“Here's hoping that a request direct from the Premier to the Prime Minister may achieve a better result,” Mayor Strelow said. 

Rockhampton Regional Council contribution towards the $60 million levee is anticipated to be somewhere between $5 and $10 million depending on the outcome of negotiations with both Government and benefitted private enterprises.