Pitt claims $175m flood levee will divide Bundaberg

Parts of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and the city’s CBD will be better protected from future flooding after the federal and state governments reached agreement to build a 1.7km concrete levee parallel to the southern bank of the river.

Hundreds of homes and businesses in parts of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and the city’s CBD will be better protected from future flooding by a 1.7km concrete levee parallel to the southern bank of the Burnett River.

Parts of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and the city’s CBD will be better protected from future flooding after the federal and state governments reached agreement to build a 1.7km concrete levee parallel to the southern bank of the Burnett River.

The $174.7 million, jointly funded Bundaberg East Levee project will help safeguard homes, businesses and the local economy from the devastation of major flooding, and create local jobs and business opportunities during its construction, a joint statement said on Thuresday.

But federal LNP MP for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, slammed the announcement and said it would split the city.

“While the East Bundaberg Flood Levee will reportedly protect 600 buildings, around 10,000 residents in North Bundaberg are left stranded with no safe evacuation route in the event of another flood,” Mr Pitt said.

“My view of the flood levee project has been consistent – I won’t support projects that divide the community. Nor will I support something that means the people of North Bundaberg will miss out again.”

The project’s concept design – developed with community consultation in 2018 – involves construction of a concrete levee in two main sections as well as floodgates, flood doors and pump stations across Saltwater Creek and an unnamed creek known locally as ‘Distillery Creek’.

Bundaberg flood protection in spotlight ahead of state budget

Remembering the catastrophic 2013 Bundaberg floods | Photos

The levee was the most beneficial of four options identified under the 10-year Bundaberg Action Plan as able to help reduce the risk of flood devastation such as that experienced following ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013 and the significant rainfall and flooding early in 2022.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said Bundaberg was hit particularly hard in the significant flood event in 2013 and parts of the city were vulnerable when the rains start pelting down.

“It will significantly improve flood protection for families in the city’s east, south and CBD precincts,” he said.

“While we recognise that there is still a significant amount of work to go, we will continue to collaborate with the Qld Government to get shovels in the ground, and we are ready to step up to the challenge.”

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith said “where we can stop flooding, we should stop flooding and that is why this levee is so vital to our community”.

“This is both a major investment in Bundaberg’s safety and in its economic prosperity. I know that having spoken to local house holders and businesses throughout the East, South and CBD suburbs that they want the security that comes with this flood levee. Today is important because together our governments are delivering the steps towards that confidence and security.

Flood in Bundaberg, 1893. Photo: State Library of Queensland

“This levee project, along with the $1.2 billion rebuild of the Paradise Dam, and the $1.2 billion New Bundaberg Hospital will truly be transformational for Bundaberg.

“Whilst delivering the Bundaberg East Flood Levee will protect many from devastation, I will continue to ensure that all practical mitigation and evacuation projects are pursued across the whole of our Bundaberg community.”

Mr Pitt said he wanted to know if the $174 million included a detailed design.

“What will be the cost to maintain the pumps and the flood gates? More importantly, who will this cost fall to? Will it be Bundaberg ratepayers?” he asked in a statement.

“Will the residents or businesses on the wrong side of the levee be offered compensation for their properties?

“Concerns were raised in October 2020 when the Palaszczuk Government announced this project that properties would be left worthless and uninsurable. Yet in March 2022, the Mayor claimed that the levee would reduce insurance premiums.

“Over 5000 people put their names to a petition calling for a review of all flood mitigation options in Bundaberg, before committing to build the levee. Has this too been ignored?”

Millaquin Sugar Mill in the flood, Bundaberg, 1942. Photo: State Library of Queensland