August 23, 2014
Damage caused to the spillway at Gordonbrook Dam during the 2013 floods will cost $4.5 million to repair – but South Burnett ratepayers only have to pick up $80,000 of the massive bill.
The rest of the funding will come from the Federal and State Governments, including a special $700,000 in “Betterment Funding” announced on Friday which will help to make the spillway more resilient to withstand future floods.
South Burnett Regional Council General Manager of Infrastructure, Russell Hood, said water flowing over the dam spillway during the 2013 floods had scoured out the northern side of the bank of the spillway, eroding away tons of soil.
This erosion would have continued in future floods, causing more of the bank to collapse into the Stuart River.
The solution would be a concrete wall constructed along the edge of the spillway.
Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney made a special trip to Kingaroy on Friday to inspect the damage and announce the extra Betterment Funding.
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said the extra funds meant Council could improve the spillway and protect it into the future, rather than just replace like-for-like which would most likely be washed away again.
“The upgrade of the spillway at Gordonbrook Dam is a strong example of our government keeping its promise to deliver better infrastructure and planning, especially in Queensland’s regions,” Mr Seeney said.
“We are pleased to work in partnership with the South Burnett Regional Council to boost the resilience and flood immunity of the spillway to ensure it can better withstand future natural disasters.
“Flood discharge through the spillway during the flood events of 2011 and 2013 has damaged a number of areas in the channel downstream of the spillway.
“Council plans to raise the height of the existing wall to provide erosion protection during major weather events and mitigate the risk of undermining.”
The $80 million Betterment Fund was introduced last year to give councils across Queensland the opportunity to rebuild their flood damaged assets to a higher standard, ensuring they could better withstand future natural disasters.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington welcomed the extra $700,000 in funds which joins a long list of other flood-repair projects in the South Burnett which have also been upgraded with the assistance of Betterment Funding.
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