Bundaberg Flood Protection Group backs Keith Pitt on flood levee

The Bundaberg Flood Protection Group has come out in support of Keith Pitt, who has branded the proposed flood levee ‘divisive’. The group says there is a better plan to tackle flooding in the region, but nobody is listening.

“If they can convince us we’re wrong, we’ll go away.”

That was the challenge Bundaberg Flood Protection Group member Sid McKeown threw in the ring on Thursday.

Mr McKeown lived through Bundaberg’s horror 2010/11 and 2013 flooding events, and stands by recent comments from Hinkler MP Keith Pitt, who said a proposed flood levee would divide the community.

Mr McKeown said after his group’s many years of research and consultation with experts, there was one simple solution to lowering Bundaberg’s floodwaters and that was refurbishing the river.

“Keith is right, he’s got his finger on the pulse unlike some others,” he said.

A flood levee would involve the construction of a levee along the south bank of the river to reduce flooding in East Bundaberg.

It would require construction of two floodgates, with one large floodgate for Saltwater Creek.

Sid McKeown managed to get some of his furniture and equipment above flood waters at his fishery business during the 2010/11 floods. Mr McKeown stands by recent comments from Hinkler MP Keith Pitt, who said a proposed flood levee would divide the community.Pic John Wilson Story Kristen Shorten

The proposed $80 million project was intended to save about 600 buildings from inundation in a flood.

But Mr McKeown believes the answer is to clean the Burnett River without dredging it; restore it to how it once was through a series of manageable and inexpensive maintenance activities.

“Water isn’t getting away like it used to,” he said.

Mr McKeown referenced studies that showed the impact on Bundaberg from 20m of flooding at Walla in 1942 was 8m of floodwater in the city.

Now, that amount of water stands at an estimated 9.7m in the city.

Mr McKeown said the “culmination of a heap of little things” to clean the river could have a big impact - 1300 currently flood-prone homes could be saved from inundation.

Lowering the flood level in town by just more than 1m would result in $140 million savings, according to a report by engineers GHD.

But Mr McKeown said so far, the idea had fallen on deaf ears among those in authority.

“No one seems to want to listen to us,” he said.

“If they can convince us we’re wrong, we’ll go away.”

Mr McKeown believes the flood levee was handed down by the government at the time because it had to have something to tell a weary public that had just experienced a record weather event.

His comments came on the back of an announcement by Mr Pitt of $2 million in funding for a Bundaberg disaster co-ordination centre and community hub.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt says a proposed flood levee is divisive in the community. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“In times of disaster – flood, cyclone or fire – Bundaberg will now have access to a purpose-built local disaster co-ordination centre to aid the local and district Disaster Management Groups to ensure the emergency response and recovery processes are co-ordinated,” he said is a written statement.

“The facility – to be located at Maria St, Kensington – will be used as a training hub, community meeting space and an educational venue, ensuring that this centre is of benefit to the community 365 days a year,” the statement read.”

Mr Pitt said he was apprehensive about the proposed flood levee.

“What I won’t support are projects that divide the community, and the proposed flood levee has done just that,” he said in his statement.

“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.

“I have stated and continue to state that there needs to be more accurate costings, engineering and proper community consultation undertaken.”

Mr Pitt said the $2 million had been matched by Bundaberg Regional Council.

Last month, Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey told the NewsMail that flood levees were well worth their money.

“The Launceston flood levee cost $58 million, including land acquisition and in the floods of June 2016, saved an estimated $216 million in losses,” he said.

Mr McKeown said governments needed to think ahead and realise there was no way to flood-proof Bundaberg, with his concern being that a flood levee would adversely impact North Bundaberg and Avoca.

“There are alternatives,” he said.