Bundaberg flood protection study

The Government has released the Bundaberg Flood Protection Study reports which are a vital component of the Queensland Government’s commitment to developing a 10-year action plan for flood mitigation works in Bundaberg.

The study reports are the outcome of a two-stage process undertaken by an independent consultant.

Stage 1 (undertaken in late 2015)

• Involved review of previous work undertaken by Bundaberg Regional Council in 2013 and engagement with local communities in Bundaberg to gather information on flood behaviour and other possible solutions for flood management.
• Re-engaged with local communities to identify proposed flood mitigation options and further explore alternative flood mitigation suggestions.

Stage 2 (undertaken in 2016)

• Assessed the 11 flood mitigation options that warranted further investigation following the outcomes of Stage 1 (this included options identified by community members).
• Undertook further community and stakeholder engagement to support assessment of flood mitigation options.
• Provided recommendations regarding which options warrant further consideration.

The Bundaberg Flood Protection Study outcomes have been provided in two reports:

1. The Flood Mitigation Options Assessment Report

• The aim of the report is to inform the development of a flood action plan for Bundaberg.
• Identifies and assesses flood mitigation options that warranted assessment following the outcomes of stage 1.
• Included further community and stakeholder engagement to support the assessment of flood mitigation options.

2.Consultation Report

• Provides an overview of the community and stakeholder engagement activities undertaken for stage 2 of the Bundaberg flood protection study between April 2016 and December 2016.

The Bundaberg Flood Protection Study was undertaken by independent consultant Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd.

What options are recommended as appropriate for further investigation and consideration at this stage?

• Option H: Bundaberg North Evacuation Routes.
• Option D: Bundaberg East levee.
• Option K: Upper floodplain evacuation improvements.
• Option J: Floodway House Purchase Scheme.

What options are not recommended as not appropriate for further investigation and consideration at this stage?

• Option A: Burnett River conveyance improvements.
• Option B: Bundaberg North floodway.
• Option C: Bundaberg North levee and floodway.
• Option E: Fairymead level removal.
• Option F (Millaquin Bend) (only recommended for further investigation if Option D does not proceed).
• Option G: Burnett River diversions.
• Option I: Storages in upper Burnett River catchment.

The Queensland Government is currently reviewing the findings of the Bundaberg Flood Protection Study and is developing a 10-year action plan for flood mitigation in Bundaberg.

What options are recommended as appropriate for further investigation and consideration?

Option H: Bundaberg North Evacuation Routes

Aims to enhance emergency access to Tallon Bridge by creating an extension to the bridge from Gavin Street through to the roundabout near Bundaberg North Primary School. This option consists of a one-lane viaduct, which would run parallel to Hinkler Drive. The viaduct would only be used for evacuation purposes.

Option D (Bundaberg East levee)

Aims to protect Bundaberg East by constructing a levee on the river bank and across the Saltwater Creek floodplain. The levee would protect the Bundaberg East area from inundation from the Burnett River in the 1.5 per cent AEP Flood event.

Option K (Upper floodplain evacuation improvements)

Aims to provide better evacuation access in Goodnight, Morganville, Pine Creek, Givelda and Electra which can be isolated for up to two weeks due to low level bridge crossings and the lack of adequate and maintained 4WD access tracks.

Option J (Floodway House Purchase Scheme)

This would involve the voluntary purchase or relocation (via land-swap) of select residential blocks in Bundaberg North that are deemed to be in a floodway with high depths and velocities.

What options are not recommended as not appropriate for further investigation and consideration at this stage?

Option F (Millaquin Bend)

Many of the benefits due to widening Millaquin Bend overlap with the Bundaberg East levee option (option D).

While the study determined that further consideration of option F is warranted it is not recommended at this stage, although this should be reconsidered if the Bundaberg East levee is not progressed or is delayed.

Other options investigated

The study determined that further investigation was not recommended of the six other flood mitigation options due to such things as cost of construction and ongoing maintenance, impact on others, low likelihood of obtaining environmental approvals, and social and environmental impacts.

This option involves river dredging along the town reach, removing Harriet Island, widening Millaquin Bend and regular maintenance dredging.

• Option overview ( 1.97 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.27 MB).

This option involves construction of four lakes either side of Hinkler Avenue to improve conveyance through Bundaberg North and a channel from Queen Street to Waterview Road.

• Option overview ( 1.58 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 989 KB).

This option involves constructing a levee around most of Bundaberg North. Lakes and widening of the rail bridge at Hanbury Street would also be required to improve conveyance through Bundaberg North.

• Option overview ( 1.58 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 0.99 MB).

This option includes construction of a levee along the south bank of the river to reduce flooding in Bundaberg East. It would require construction of two floodgates (with one large floodgate for Saltwater Creek).

• Option overview ( 1.72 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.86 MB).

This option involves removal of existing levees at Fairymead on the floodplain downstream of Bundaberg.

• Option overview ( 2.28 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.06 MB).

This option involves deepening, widening and regular maintenance dredging of a section of the left bank of the Burnett River by excavation and dredging to improve flood conveyance through a constricted part of the river.

• Option overview ( 1.52 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.04 MB).

This option involves construction of a diversion channel from the Burnett River into the Elliot River.

• Option overview ( 3.88 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.19 MB).

This option involves improving emergency access to Tallon Bridge by creating an extension to the bridge from Gavin Street through to the roundabout near Bundaberg North Primary School.

• Option overview ( 1.65 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.13 MB).

This option involves construction of dam(s) in the upper Burnett River catchment to temporarily store floodwaters. No specific sites have been chosen.

• Option overview ( 3.25 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.12 MB).

This option would involve either purchase or relocation (via land-swap) of select residential blocks in Bundaberg North that are deemed to be in a floodway with high depths and velocities.

• Option overview ( 1.87 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 1.08 MB).

This option involves provision of better evacuation routes and access during floods to the communities of Goodnight, Morganville, Pine Creek, Givelda and Electra through raising of the Perry River Bridge at Walla and construction and upgrading of 4WD tracks.

• Option overview ( 2.21 MB).
• Technical discussion paper ( 736 KB).