WITH heavy rains over the past month and more forecast in coming months, releases from Wivenhoe Dam have seen residents remember past floods, while the Crisafulli Government said the previous government had dropped the ball on water infrastructure.
The cost of building and maintaining Queensland’s water infrastructure had blown out by at least $6.5 billion under the previous government.
Departmental analysis of 11 key water infrastructure projects revealed last month costs: including:
- Paradise Dam up to $4.4 billion. This is an increase of $3.2 billion,
- Wivenhoe Dam Improvement Project up to $2.7 billion. This is an increase of $673 million.
- Somerset Dam up to $1.6 billion. This is an increase of $950 million.
- Lowood Pipeline Upgrade up to $222 million. This is an increase of $99 million.
To better prepare for disasters, Ipswich City Council announced additional flood cameras in December.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said expanding the flood camera network was one of the Council’s 2022 Flood Review recommendations.
“The total number of flood cameras available on the Disaster Dashboard is now 16.
This is with cameras added at:
- Marburg,
- Rosewood
- Limestone Park
- Two at Springfield Lakes lower and upper dam.
The Mayor added that:
“These flood cameras are crucial tools in monitoring flood water levels.
They can provide real-time information to Council, emergency services, and the community during flood events.
“By making this information publicly available, we’re empowering our community with the tools to prepare and respond effectively during flood events, by making informed decisions around travel.”
FLOOD PEAKS
2022: 16.7m. 2011: 19.4 metres at David Trumpy Bridge.
1974: 20.7m.
