Rockhampton calls for flood levees to prevent future flooding

Yesterday the rising body of water started to flow into the central Queensland city, with authorities and government repeating calls for multi-million dollar levees to guard against future flooding.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, announced her support for the levee but stated all levels of government would need to be on board for it to go ahead.

“This was a very vex issue over the last four or five years,” she said.

“The mayor raised it (levee) with me the other day and I was speaking to my minister Bill Byrne as well and it is something we have an open mind to, but we would need the federal government to come on board and help out.

“We have put in place that diversion with the Yeppen bridges. That was an investment for Flood Mitigation Project but a flood levee there would certainly help protect Depot Hill.”

Rockampton Regional Council Mayor, Margaret Strelow, has today been calling on financial assistance from federal and state governments.

“There are multiple avenues available for funding and the federal government would welcome a submission,” Cr Strelow said.

“It is our understanding that the project is not shovel ready – the full costs have not been determined and there are still some investigations to be done to establish technical details, costs and environmental impact – including the effect on others areas.

“The areas usually affected by the flooding are constructions within a flood plain, making them amongst the cheapest homes in the state.

“A flood levee would greatly increase the land value, especially considering the proximity to the CBD.”

The Fitzroy River is currently at 8.75 metres, just shy of the 9m level where the flood is expected to peak.

The main flood peak in the Fitzroy River is around South Yaamba where it is sitting at 16.10m and steady.

River levels are expected to remain around a peak throughout today, with major flood levels continuing through Friday.

Locals have spend days sandbagging homes and businesses in preparation for the rising flood.

“This is a very slow moving flood, but I think the locals are pretty prepared up there,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“But it's going to cause some distress, especially those people where the flood waters come through their houses.”

Low-lying parts of Rockhampton are now submerged in floodwaters and authorities are urging locals not to drive through floodwaters.

An update of road closures can be found here.

Immediate financial assistance and support services are now available to eligible Rockhampton residents who have been impacted by flooding in the aftermath of TC Debbie.

Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne said people in the most affected areas could use the Self-Recovery app, visit the online portal or ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for information or to arrange any assistance they might require.

“We understand that immediately following a disaster, people want to focus on the clean-up of their homes and businesses – which is why the app, portal and hotline are the best places to start finding advice or support,” he said.

“Residents can apply for grants and receive referrals for community organisations and other government agencies, with minimal disruption to their clean-up efforts.

“Anyone who doesn’t have access to power, internet or telecommunications can visit the Community Recovery Hub which will open from 9am Thursday at the James Lawrence Pavilion, Rockhampton Showgrounds.Residents are asked to enter the Showgrounds at the Lion Creek Road entrance.”