Levee plan up in air with council to cover maintenance costs

The state government has refused to acquiesce after Helen Blackburn publicly declared the cost of maintaining the $175million Bundaberg East levee would be too much for her council, and would force it to raise rates by 4 per cent. 

The state government has refused to acquiesce after new Mayor Helen Blackburn publicly declared the cost of maintaining the planned $175million Bundaberg East flood levee would be too much for her council, and would force it to raise rates by 4 per cent.

The state government has refused to acquiesce after new Mayor Helen Blackburn publicly declared the cost of maintaining the planned $175million Bundaberg East flood levee would be too much for her council, and would force it to raise rates by 4 per cent.

In a special meeting held by the Bundaberg Regional Council on Wednesday, May 8, it unanimously agreed to take on ownership, operation and maintenance responsibilities for the Bundaberg East Flood Levee.
Ms Blackburn set a condition that all associated costs including asset transfer fees, operations, maintenance and future upgrades must be funded by the state government.

Facing a projected operational deficit of $17 million for the upcoming financial year, Ms Blackburn said if the council was to fund the project it would result in the rate rise.
A Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works spokesperson said the state and federal governments were committed to investing the money to build the flood levee and safeguard the Bundaberg community, homes and businesses.

“This project was called for by the community and the Bundaberg Regional Council following devastating flood events,” they said.

We remain eager to work with council to deliver this important project.”

Image of the proposed Bundaberg flood levee.

A source said neither the council nor local residents were being asked to help fund the levee’s construction.

The council will be a key beneficiary of the levee, with land, buildings, community infrastructure and other assets within Bundaberg East and Bundaberg South better protected from future Burnett River flood events.

Its elected representatives this week discussed draft commercial terms in relation to the transfer of ownership of the completed levee from the state to the council, including operation and maintenance responsibilities.

The Bundaberg East Levee will improve flood protection for Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South, and the CBD.

With a concrete levee spanning 1.7km, along with floodgates, doors and pump stations, the project is estimated to cost $174.7 million.

Its construction is anticipated to create more than 100 jobs.

Former Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said in late 2023 construction was expected to start by early 2025.

The federal and state governments have thrown their weight behind it, with Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith saying, “where we can stop flooding, we should stop flooding and that is exactly why this project is so important to Bundaberg”.

Mayor Helen Blackburn asked for the government to fund associated costs of the Bundaberg flood levee.

“I have already spoken with a range of locals wishing to share their community contributions, and this will form a key part of the consultation and procurement phase,” he said.

“The levee is a major project that will serve not only residents, but sporting clubs, school communities, charity organisations, and local business as well”.

The Bundaberg East Levee project is just one component of a comprehensive strategy to mitigate flood risks in the area.

Other projects under the Bundaberg Action Plan include improvements to evacuation routes, flood levees, and evacuation infrastructure.
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