DAMAGE from heavy rainfall and flooding of Ipswich’s major waterways have been mapped with drones by Ipswich City Council.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said a drone expert undertook the flyovers last week during daylight hours of
local creeks and the Bremer River.
“Assessments will be made specifically on erosion and impacts to riparian areas, as well as the extent of litter and debris that has been deposited on the banks and nearby land,” Mayor Harding said.
“The data collected by the drones will inform the development a program of works to carry out clean-Aup activities as well as to assist council prioritise investment on stabilisation, waterway and riparian improvements over the coming months and years.”
Local Disaster Management Group Deputy Chairperson Cr Kate Kunzelmann said the drone footage will provide important data for council.
“By having a clearer picture of the flood damage, it can inform our rehabilitation strategy and future decision-making about environmental management, and collection of flood waste which is supported by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for post flood clean
up and waste,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
Cr Russell Milligan said no two floods were the same and this work will make sure council has the most up-todate information about what our creeks and rivers currently look like.
“We have existing data from previous surveys carried out in 2009 and 2014 that these images will be compared, so we can see how the rivers have changed and what we can be doing as a council to give our
river systems the best chance for rehabilitation.”
Residents can rest easy if they noted council’s authorised contractor flying a drone overhead.
