Joint media release with the Hon Ann Leahy MP
- The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are investing $15 million to boost flood resilience in South West Queensland.
- The funds will support design of a flood levee for Thargomindah, as well as six upgraded floodways for Quilpie Shire.
- The Betterment funding follows the devastating floods through Western Queensland in 2025 and is part of the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments' commitment to building back better following natural disasters.
South West Queensland is set to receive a major flood resilience boost, with the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments delivering a $15.47 million investment to design a levee for Thargomindah and six upgraded floodways for Quilpie.
The funding is part of a record Betterment resilience investment, delivered under the $450 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program, to strengthen the disaster resilience of regional Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government last year doubled its investment in Betterment, to ensure Queensland builds back stronger, more resilient infrastructure, after natural disasters.
Works are also underway for a flood levee in Winton, with concept designs in development to protect the pump station and the southern side of town from flooding.
Both Quilpie and Thargomindah were hit by devastating floods in early 2025, with record flood peaks in Thargomindah rupturing the existing levee leaving homes inundated.
South West Queensland projects include:
- $10 million to design and early works for a flood levee to protect Thargomindah, managing flood risk for the Bulloo, Lower Thomson River and Cooper Creek catchments.
- $470,000 for Quilpie Shire Council to replace six concrete floodways along Adavale Black Road and Humeburn Road, two critical routes relied on by emergency services, primary producers and local schools.
- $5 million to identify additional locations for flood monitoring assets and install flood gauges.
The initiatives will be coordinated by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, in partnership with local councils.
The QRRRP is funded through efficiencies realised under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the works were another step towards flood resilience for the South West.
"We have seen, once again, over recent weeks just how quickly floodwaters can spread across large areas of Queensland and the devastating impacts they have on peoples' lives and livelihoods," Minister McBain said.
"These projects are informed by the flood impacts of 2025 and the critical needs that have come from that intense period.
"Even as we make this announcement today, a number of Queensland communities are preparing for or dealing with another round of flooding, and we continue to think of them too."
Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the projects combined would deliver a holistic approach to flood risk management for the region.
"Last year's flooding disaster will not be in vain, and we are determined to use those events to grow our resilience," Minister Leahy said.
"Not only will the flood protection be critical, it will also put downward pressure on insurance, which has become increasingly out of reach for Queenslanders in many flood prone regions.
"A flood levee will mean less damage, faster recovery and better protection for Thargomindah.
"The end result will be a stronger, safer, more resilient south-west Queensland."
For more information visit the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
