- Bundaberg East Levee secures $174.7 million funding from Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments
- Project to provide better protection for parts of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and the CBD
- Independent experts and community to be consulted to update and finalise levee design
- Construction to support over 100 jobs and deliver economic opportunity across the supply chain
Parts of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and the city's CBD will be better protected from future flooding after the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments reached agreement to build a 1.7km concrete levee parallel to the southern bank of the Burnett River.
The $174.7 million, jointly funded Bundaberg East Levee project will not only help safeguard homes, businesses and the local economy from the devastation of major flooding, it will also create local jobs and business opportunities during its construction.
The project's concept design – developed with community consultation in 2018 – will mitigate future flood damage within the Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and Bundaberg CBD precincts.
It involves construction of a concrete levee in two main sections as well as floodgates, flood doors and pump stations across Saltwater Creek and an unnamed creek known locally as 'Distillery Creek'.
The levee was the most beneficial of four options identified under the 10-year Bundaberg Action Plan as able to help reduce the risk of flood devastation such as that experienced following ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013 and the significant rainfall and flooding early last year.
Quote attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
"Bundaberg was hit particularly hard in the significant flood event in 2013 and parts of the city are quite vulnerable when the rains start pelting down.
"It will significantly improve flood protection for families in the city's east, south and CBD precincts.
"Under the former Morrison Government, the Emergency Response Fund failed to build a single disaster mitigation project in three years, while earning them over $800 million in interest. Now, we are using this fund to make a real difference for Bundy.
"We know that every dollar spent on disaster resilience and mitigation delivers a return on investment to governments and households nine times over, while also putting downward pressure on insurance premiums.
"While we recognise that there is still a significant amount of work to go, we will continue to collaborate with the Queensland Government to get shovels in the ground, and we are ready to step up to the challenge.
"I want to thank the Palaszczuk Government for their contribution to this important project - that this shows what can be done when governments work together."
Quotes attributable to Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith:
"Where we can stop flooding, we should stop flooding and that is why this levee is so vital to our community. This is both a major investment in Bundaberg's safety and in its economic prosperity.
"We know that residents are eager to see works start and with the help of a federal Labor Government we are getting on with the job.
"I know that having spoken to local householders and businesses throughout the East, South and CBD suburbs that they want the security that comes with this flood levee. Today is important because together our governments are delivering the steps towards that confidence and security.
"This levee project, along with the $1.2 billion rebuild of the Paradise Dam, and the $1.2 billion New Bundaberg Hospital will truly be transformational for Bundaberg.
"Whilst delivering the Bundaberg East Flood Levee will protect many from devastation, I will continue to ensure that all practical mitigation and evacuation projects are pursued across the whole of our Bundaberg community."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan:
"Queenslanders are no strangers to natural disasters with more than 100 extreme events experienced in this State since 2011, causing more than $22 billion in damage.
"Each and every one of those disasters leaves its mark on local communities.
"This project is intended to protect the Bundaberg community and property behind the levee from a Burnett River flood event similar to the 2013 flood.
"The $174.7 million levee will be the second of four projects to commence through our 10-year Bundaberg Action Plan, developed to reduce the impact of flooding in the community.
"I'm so pleased the Federal Government are partnering with us to fund this much-needed major infrastructure project so local homes and businesses are better protected and, most importantly, families are safer when extreme weather does strike.
"Public safety is one of the Palaszczuk Government's top priority and we are working so hard to ensure Queensland remains the most disaster-resilient state in the nation."
Quote attributable to Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Jack Dempsey:
"The severe rainfall and flooding in January 2013 remains a significant and traumatic disaster for many families and businesses right throughout the Bundaberg Region.
"The East Bundaberg flood levee was identified as Council's number one disaster mitigation priority and we thank the State and Federal Governments for this major funding commitment, which is something we have been advocating for.
"The levee will protect hundreds of homes, major industries and the CBD without increasing flood impacts in other areas.
"The next phase of consultation will be the chance for our community to consider exactly how we leverage this project to deliver a legacy for generations to come."
Quote attributable to Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd):
"One of our main functions at the Queensland Reconstruction Authority is to strengthen disaster risk reduction and resilience in local councils and communities such as Bundaberg and regions like the Wide Bay-Burnett.
"This includes supporting the delivery of infrastructure to manage flood risk, so communities are better prepared for and protected against the impacts of natural disasters.
"The Bundaberg East Levee will be a shining example of flood-resilient infrastructure and a valuable, long-term asset for this wonderful region.
"We can't stop floods, cyclones and severe storms from happening, but we can and will keep working to strengthen disaster resilience in Queensland."
