December 1, 2023
South Burnett and Cherbourg are among 23 councils in Queensland which have been invited to apply for funding to install flood warning equipment.
Other nearby councils which are eligible for funding under the $7 million joint Federal / State government Flood Warning Infrastructure Network program are Gympie, Toowoomba , North Burnett, Western Downs and Somerset.
The councils are eligible because they were activated for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements after the 2022 Queensland floods.
The funding can be used by councils for infrastructure including rainfall and river gauges, flood cameras, data repeaters and electronic signs.
“Communities, emergency services and businesses need reliable access to flood forecasts and warnings, to help them prepare and respond to flooding events,” Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said.
“We are pleased to work with the Palaszczuk Government to deliver this potentially life-saving program, designed to improve Queensland’s flood warning network.
“Through this program, Councils will submit projects based on their own unique and localised requirements, ensuring local knowledge is front and centre when preparing for future disasters.
“The Albanese Government is committed to improving Australia’s flood warning infrastructure network, including an additional $236 million investment over 10 years to buy and upgrade high priority flood gauges that are currently owned by local, state and territory governments in flood-prone areas.”
