Flood mitigation works well underway
Published on 27 May 2015
It’s a project guaranteed to see positive flow on effects whilst stopping the flow.
Up to 400 properties are set to stay dry in the next Fitzroy River flood event as Rockhampton Regional Council works towards completing the first stage of the North Rockhampton Flood Mitigation Project.
A series of flood valves and gates are currently being installed in low-lying areas of North Rockhampton.
Mayor of Rockhampton Region, Margaret Strelow said it’s part of the first step in protecting our Region from flooding.
Mayor Strelow was recently announced runner up in the Floodplain Management Association’s Flood Risk Manager of the Year Award.
“While we can’t control Mother Nature, we can work to ensure history isn’t repeated when it comes to the damages caused from flooding in this area,” Mayor Strelow said.
“As a community, we need to start to spend more on prevention rather than always spending our funds on clean-up and recovery,” Mayor Strelow added.
The valves will be used as backflow prevention devices and will stop the backup of Fitzroy River floodwaters through the stormwater drains. A total of 16 valves will be installed in and around Berserker in upcoming months, between Queen Elizabeth Drive and Ellis Street.
Mayor Strelow said works for the installation are well underway despite setbacks following TC Marcia earlier this year.
“Work has been a little delayed by Cyclone Marcia but Council is back in full swing to have the project completed before the next wet season,” Mayor Strelow said.
The backflow prevention is just one mitigation measure included in the first stage of flood immunity. Other activities of Stage One currently underway include:
- A temporary flood barrier system – initially deployed at Ellis and Rodboro Street to prevent back up of flood water from Frenchman’s Creek and overland flow paths;
- Works to the sewerage network to reduce the inflow of flood water and risk of sewerage surcharge;
- Construction of a small levee and associated drainage works in Kershaw Gardens adjacent to Dowling and Fraser Streets keeping out the water backing up from Moores Creek.
Works are expected to be completed at the end of August 2015.
In the meantime, Council is progressing with plans for Stage Two of the Project and is seeking support from the State Government.
“We presented a deputation to the State Government at Community Cabinet last weekend and explained how vital the project is for protecting our community,” Chairperson for Infrastructure and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Councillor Tony Williams said.
“This project is relatively low cost compared to the ongoing costs involved in flood clean-up and recovery for many residents and property owners.”
Stage 2 of the NRFM project will include:
- Raising and reconstructing of a section of Water Street and relocation of the temporary flood barrier location to Water Street to protect an additional 97 residential and commercial buildings;
- Installation of stormwater and sewerage pump stations to reduce the risk of flooding of the protected area from local rainfall when the river is in flood and to further reduce the risk of sewerage surcharge in the protected area; and,
- Potential installation of valves on the sewerage network to further control backflow and ongoing programs to reduce stormwater and flood water infiltration and inflow into the sewerage network.
Further information on the North Rockhampton Flood Mitigation Project can be found at www.rrc.qld.gov.au.