By Rob O’Brien
The State Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) will work together on a state-first project to improve Queensland’s resilience to changing flood conditions caused by climate change.
Ms Bligh said the State Government would invest more than $300,000 in the project, which will begin this week, to focus on helping councils better identify inland flood prone areas of the state.
Officers from the Department of Environment and Resource Management and the Department of Infrastructure and Planning will work with local Council planner officers on the project.
"Climate change means weather patterns are changing in severity and frequency of extreme weather events and this joint project will give our councils the tools to better manage flood risk," said the Premier.
"Flooding costs state and local government about $234 million in damage to infrastructure following heavy rain across North West Queensland to Mackay this year.
LGAQ president Cr Paul Bell welcomed the announcement.
“The LGAQ had sought the assistance of the state government. Yesterday’s announcement by Premier Anna Bligh and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones means we can work on the solutions together,” Cr Bell said
“Over the past three years, councils have received inconsistent and conflicting advice when seeking specialist assistance in preparing flood mapping studies. Some consultants were adding arbitrary and unsubstantiated margins on top of existing maps to account for climate change impacts,” he said.
“We must do the right thing by our communities. Developing an authoritative and agreed approach to flood modelling is absolutely essential for public safety and the protection of public and private infrastructure.
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