Burnett River floodplain action plan

Overview

Following the disastrous 2013 Burnett River flood event Council undertook a flood risk management study known as the Burnett River Floodplain Action Plan. The plan was developed between August 2013 and completed in June 2014 and was underpinned by a comprehensive two-year flood modelling and mapping study of the Burnett River between Paradise Dam and the river mouth at Burnett Heads.

The purpose of the Plan was to:

  • Provide Council with an understanding of the nature and degree of flood risk across the lower Burnett River floodplain;
  • Assess a range of floodplain risk management measures that could be implemented to reduce flood risks and increase community resilience to flooding; and
  • Provide flood risk information to inform land-use planning decisions and emergency management activities.

The plan led to Council applying to the Queensland Government for $117,176,570 in funding for flood mitigation projects. The following projects have received funding and have been built:

  • Mount Perry Road (Bundaberg North);
  • Technology Park Flood Levee (off Cummins Street, Bundaberg North);
  • Fairymead Road (Bundaberg North); and
  • Bartholdt Drive (Branyan).

View the combined mitigation project for Bundaberg North in January 2013 like event(JPG, 666KB)

January 2013 Flood Level Animations

Evacuation Route Upgrades

Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road Flood

Project entails raising a section of Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road (locally known as Mount Perry Road) between Walters Street and North School Hill roundabout. This is a joint initiative of the Federal and Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council.

Construction of the Technology Park flood levee in conjunction with the upgrade to Mount Perry Road will ensure the evacuation route remains open to the flood heights of 2013 flood.

View the combined mitigation projects in a January 2013 - like event(JPG, 666KB)

CMC was engaged to deliver this project. The contractor mobilised to site in February 2015.

It is Council's intention to preserve the majority of existing mature trees and gardens. Any vegetation removed as part of the construction works will be reinstated at completion of the project as part of the streetscape beautification. Additional measures are being undertaken to ensure preservation of the existing trees by incorporating permanent landscape retaining wall structures within the design to protect existing trees.

Construction works will require some trees to be trimmed in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens. A few trees will need to be removed in the area to be upgraded, with a new drainage system and the new 10 cell culvert to ensure potential floodwaters are uninhibited.

Community Newsletter No 1 - October 2014(PDF, 352KB)

Community Newsletter No 2 - December 2014(PDF, 1MB)

Community Newsletter No 3 - January 2015(PDF, 301KB)

Potential Reduced Flood Inundation based on modelled 2013 flood event(PDF, 173KB)

Take a look at our animated vision for a bird’s eye view of construction soon to be completed on Mt Perry Road, which will provide an evacuation route for North Bundaberg residents. The work is being undertaken by contractor Civil Mining and Construction with funding from the State Government and Council.

This work will see the road raised to approximately 300 mm above the 2013 flood level between the Hinkler Avenue roundabout and the Walters Street intersection. The design will also include major drainage upgrades which will assist in accommodating potential floodwaters.

Technology Park Flood Levee

Construction of a Flood Levee, at Bundaberg North Technology Park, to increase flood immunity for a section of Mount Perry Road - Proudly funded by the Queensland Government's Royalties for the Regions Program and Bundaberg Regional Council.

Flood modelling and detailed design has shown that construction of this levee in conjunction with the raising of Mount Perry Road will keep the evacuation route open up to a 2013 Flood Event. The original plans included the construction of a second flood levee on Batchlers Road, but this part of the project has become obsolete with the success of the Tech Park Levee design.

Tenders were called for the construction of a vegetated, earthern levee at Technology Park and local contractor, Berajondo Earthmoving & Haulage were engaged to commence construction; pending finalisation of access.

Construction of the eastern levee has been completed. Grassing and rehabilitation has commenced. The contractor will monitor rehabilitation of the site until February 2014.

Fairymead Road Flood Evacuation Route Upgrade

Upgrading of Fairymead Road between Bonney Street and Whittingtons Road:

Construction of the upgraded section of Fairymead Road between south of the Queen Street Roundabout to south of McKenzies Road in Bundaberg North began in February 2015 was was completed in June 2015.

Council's day labour crews performed as principal contractor and were assisted by a concrete contractor, City to Coast Concrete, to raise Fairymead Road 300 mm above the 2013 flood level; in conjunction with existing stormwater drainage upgrades. Stormwater upgrades included enlarged cross culverts and backflow prevention flaps to prevent river flood backwatering. These works were complimented by improvements to service lanes to improve safety and access while preserving the majority of existing mature trees and landscaping.

Construction of this project, in conjunction with other Flood Mitigation projects completed including the Technology Park flood levee and Mount Perry Road Flood Evacuation Route Upgrade, ensure that the evacuation of the Bundaberg North community remains open during flooding to an inundation level equivalent to the flood heights of the 2013 flood.

Council acknowledges the inconvenience to adjacent property owners, schools and business' in the area who may have been affected during the construction period and appreciates their patience during this time.

The Fairymead Road Evacuation Route Upgrade Project was a joint initiative of the Bundaberg Regional Council and the Queensland Government supported by the Natural Disaster Resilience Program funding and was completed on time and on budget.

Community Newsletter No 1 - October 2014(PDF, 2MB)

Community Newsletter No 2 - December 2014(PDF, 2MB)

Community Newsletter No 3 - May 2015(PDF, 298KB)

Bartholdt Drive Flood Evacuation Route

Extension of Bartholdt Drive to Bartholdt South Drive (off Bonna Road) to create an evacuation route for the Branyan residents - An initiative of the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council:

This project will provide an evacuation path for the eastern part of Branyan addressing isolation issues previously experienced during large flooding events of the Burnett River, when McCoys Creek floods and closes the only access to this area via Branyan Drive.

View pre-construction works(PDF, 445KB)

Community Reference Group (CRG) Information

The Burnett River Floodplain Action Plan Community Reference Group (CRG) was made up of voluntary community members to liaise between Council and the community informing development of risk reduction options on the Lower Burnett River floodplain. The Burnett River Floodplain Action Plan Community Reference Group has been operating as an independent adviser to Council since the 2013 floods.

View CRG members' profile(PDF, 7MB)

Terms of Reference(PDF, 784KB)

Consultation Process(PDF, 698KB)

CRG responds to State Government's Flood Protection Study.

Council received a response from the local Community Reference Group regarding the Bundaberg Flood Protection Study. The Group reviewed the options and provided the following report which was also forwarded to the Queeensland Government to assist with their deliberations.

View report prepared by Group Chair Rowan Bond(PDF, 177KB)

Minutes and Agendas

GHD Reports

Consultation Report(PDF, 15MB)

Technical Assessment - Preliminary Options Assessment Report (Note: large file download 92MB)

Consultation Materials

Information Presentation Session - September 2013

The first round of Community Information Sessions were held around the region at North Bundaberg, East Bundaberg, Avoca, South Kolan, Wallaville and Goodnight Scrub in 2013 to collate ideas from the community for flood resilience.

Information Presentation Session - March 2014

Council held its second round of Community Information Sessions to update the community on the progress being made with the Burnett River Floodplain Action Plan and to consult with the community regarding the flood mitigation and resilience proposals put forward to the State Government for funding. During March, five sessions were held at venues in North Bundaberg, Bundaberg CBD and Wallaville. Over 200 residents attended the North Bundaberg sessions and some robust discussions were held with residents.

The appointed Community Reference Group spokespersons, Rowan Bond and Jon Carman explained to the community how the CRG had filtered and assessed all 320+ projects collated from earlier consultation conducted in September/October, 2013 and how they formulated their recommended list submitted to Council in December for consideration. View CRG presentation(PDF, 1MB).

Flood consultants, GHD Engineering delivered a technical presentation on the selected flood mitigation and resilience projects. View GHD presentation(PDF, 6MB).