The State Government has committed more than $1.8 million to Rockhampton Regional Council for additional drainage infrastructure to increase the region’s resilience to flooding.

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the project would improve the flood immunity of Rockhampton, especially in the city’s north – an area where flooding is particularly severe.

“Rockhampton has a long history of flooding, with significant flood events in 1991, 2011, 2013, 2015, and again last year as a result of Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Following Tropical Cyclone Marcia in 2015, Rockhampton Regional Council undertook investigations into flooding associated with local creek catchments and overland flow paths.

“The research identified the need for mitigation works, to reduce the level of risk to people, properties and public infrastructure.

“In response to this, our government is committing more than $1.8 million so council can deliver an alternative pathway for stormwater to increase the flood immunity of public infrastructure and surrounding properties.

“Additional drainage systems will be constructed along Wackford Street to Haynes Street, and in surrounding streets.”

Rockhampton Regional Council has identified the Wackford Street Drainage Scheme as a priority project for the region, and the Palaszczuk Government is contributing 50 per cent of the final project funding.

Plans to raise Halifax levee

It will also provide $390,000 to raise the Halifax flood levee by 20cm in a
Herbert River Improvement Trust project to increase that area’s resilience to flooding.

The Halifax flood levee was constructed in 2006 and has protected the town from flooding during severe weather events in 2009, 2014 and 2018.

However, flood modelling experts have told the Herbert River Improvement Trust that Lower Herbert River patterns have changed as a result of these floods.

The State Government has also committed more than $190,000 for Gladstone Regional Council to upgrade a causeway on Bells Road at Rodds Bay to help increase the region’s resilience to flooding.

The funding will go towards installation of large pipes under the road to increase the drainage capacity of the causeway, and provide the community of Rodds Bay with reliable access during and after storm and flooding events.