Opinion: Bundaberg community doesn’t know enough about proposed levee

“It is no more than an attempt to hoodwink the public into believing that the majority want an expensive construction with an ongoing maintenance charge just so that a select minority can benefit.”

Len Reif is not convinced that a flood wall will solve the flooding issues in East Bundaberg. Photo: File.

As a resident and an active supporter and member of the Bundaberg Flood Protection Group I have been gathering support for a review of the East Levee Wall proposal and a full investigation and consideration of other options proposed by the CRG, GHD and Jacobs consulting engineers.

I have been canvassing for approximately 1.5 hours each day for two days per week at two different locations.

I have now personally already collected over 1,000 names of supporters by myself in a very short time.

After talking with supporters, it has become very apparent that most of the community know nothing or at best, very little about this levee.

Better than 90% of the people I have approached have readily signed the petition, so claims by some of our politicians and local leaders that extensive consultation has been conducted and stating that this levee is what the Bundaberg community wants is total fabrication.

It is no more than an attempt to hoodwink the public into believing that the majority want an expensive construction with an ongoing maintenance charge just so that a select minority can benefit.

In view of my recent interaction with the public I challenge the local member Mr. Tom Smith and or our Bundaberg Regional Council to conduct a poll or public debate and see once and for all just how the public feel about this issue.

For more information, visit our website www.bundabergfloodprotection.com.au or our group Facebook Page - Bundaberg Flood Protection Group. Please sign the petition before you leave.

Len Reif, East Bundaberg