Bundaberg 10-year Action Plan The story so far

How has the action plan progressed? What is the Bundaberg Stage 1 — undertaken in late 2015 10-year Action Plan? The Government Reviewed previous work undertaken by Bundaberg Regional Council in 2013 and engagement with local communities in is committed to developing a Bundaberg to gather information on behaviour and other 10-year Action Plan for flood possible solutions for flood management. mitigation works in Bundaberg. The Bundaberg 10-year Action Plan is the outcome of an Stage 2 — undertaken in 2016 extensive process of independent technical investigation and Assessed 11 flood mitigation options, including those identified assessment, and community and by community members in Stage 1. Consultation on the findings stakeholder engagement. Since of the preliminary options assessment was held with local the devastating 2013 the communities and feedback was considered in completing the Bundaberg Regional Council and Bundaberg Flood Protection Study. the have been working with the community and independent experts to What mitigation options were assessed? identify potential works that will The flood mitigation options assessed included a mix of works that provide flood mitigation solutions involve changing flood behaviour and measures that change how for the people of Bundaberg, their residents on the floodplain respond to flooding. homes, businesses and the local Works assessed to change flood water behaviours economy. • Option A: conveyance improvement The 10-year action plan is a • Option B: Bundaberg North floodway commitment by the Queensland • Option C: Bundaberg North levee and floodway Government to build on work undertaken by the Bundaberg • Option D: levee Regional Council, and harnesses • Option E: Fairymead levee removal the collective knowledge of the • Option F: Millaquin Bend Bundaberg community, experts • Option G: Elliot River Diversion and government. The plan has • Option I: Dams in the upper catchment. been informed by the two stage Bundaberg Flood Protection Study, Measures assessed to change resident response during flood events completed in late 2017. • Option H: Improving emergency access to Tallon Bridge The plan is based on a 10-year • Option J: Floodway house purchase scheme timeframe to recognise that • Option K: Upper floodplain evacuation improvements. there is no short-term solution to mitigating flood risk but that it will take an ongoing and structured What did the assessment of each option consider? effort, that brings together all A range of matters were considered for each option including: levels of the government and • Any issues that may make construction or operation not viable community. The plan is based on (e.g. affordability, impact on environment, impact on others) this timeframe to enable a focus • Estimated costs of the option compared to the estimated benefits on ongoing, sustainable solutions • How the option performed against four objectives and a number for the people of Bundaberg. of supporting criteria (relating to people, property, long-term benefits, and social, economic and environmental issues).

www.qld.gov.au/bundabergactionplan In June 2017 the Bundaberg 10-year Action Plan was launched which includes four projects.

Upper Floodplain Evacuation Improvements Bundaberg North Evacuation Routes

• Would provide improvement to the frequency • Would result in a significant improvement to and duration of isolation during a flood event access during floods for a large number of for residents in the upper floodplain areas of floodplain residents in Bundaberg North and Goodnight Scrub and Morganville. Gooburrum. • Pine Creek, Givelda and Electra areas will benefit • Duration of isolation and the large numbers of from improved emergency evacuation egress and residents isolated during flood events, means this emergency access. project can reduce reliance on emergency services during flooding.

Bundaberg East Levee Floodway House Purchase Scheme

• Would provide a moderate to high reduction in • This would involve the voluntary purchase or flood risk for part of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg relocation (via land-swap) of select residential South, and parts of the CBD. blocks in Bundaberg North that are deemed to be • Benefits (reduction in flood damages) would be in a floodway with high depths and velocities. similar to estimated costs of construction and maintenance. • Broadly meets the project objectives, scoring relatively well against supporting criteria.

Options recommended as not appropriate for further investigation and consideration at this stage

• Option F (Millaquin Bend): Many benefits of widening • Other options investigated: The study determined Millaquin Bend would overlap with the Bundaberg that further consideration was not recommended East levee option. While the study determined that for the six other flood mitigation options. This further consideration of Option F is warranted it is recommendation was based on constraints not recommended at this stage. such as the cost of construction and ongoing maintenance, impact on others, low likelihood of obtaining environmental approvals, and social and environmental impacts.

What are the next steps? The Queensland Government is working to develop each of the recommended projects, prepare concept designs and review the designs for economic and social benefits in collaboration with key agencies. When each project is finalised, it will be presented to local communities for feedback. Following stakeholder review of the recommended concept designs, a final costing and design report will be prepared for project approval and investment decision. The community will be kept informed throughout this process.

For more information Visit: www.qld.gov.au/bundabergactionplan Email: [email protected]