10 January 2024
Southern Downs has an unfortunate history of flooding, and the most recent 2022 flood event caused devastating and widespread damage to infrastructure, property and industry across the region.
To improve future flood risk management and resilience, Southern Downs Regional Council is updating flood modelling data and inviting community input to draft flood and risk studies for the local catchment areas of Quart Pot Creek and the Condamine River and tributaries of Canal Creek and Dalrymple Creek.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said the studies will provide Council with an updated flood risk profile for the prioritised catchments and guide a revised blueprint that improves emergency response planning and management for the region.
“Over time, modification of creek corridors, historical land clearance and the construction of infrastructure has changed the distribution and movement of water and led to changes in flood behaviour,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“To make informed and proactive decisions about flood management, it is critical for Council and the community to have updated information about flood risks in our region.
“Understanding our landscape and historic impacts of previous flood events play an important role in our planning and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from future flooding.
“The community is invited to complete the survey and share firsthand experience of flooding, flood risk management issues and historical flooding in the study areas.”
The flood and risk studies will:
• assess the nature and extent of existing catchment flood conditions;
• identify the potential implications as a result of future climatic conditions;
• incorporate flooding experience and insights gained from community consultation; and
• evaluate options that may be implemented to manage existing and future flood risk.
How to submit feedback:
• Complete the survey online at
https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/have-your-say/flood-and-risk-studies.
• Visit your nearest customer service centre and ask to complete a survey form.
• Visit your local library and ask to complete a survey form.
The survey closes on Sunday 4 February 2024. The studies are expected to be completed in July 2024.
This project is fully funded by grants from the Federal Government Preparing Australian Communities – Local Stream grant and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Last edited date 23 Feb 2024