Opinion: Our once pristine river is choking

“Having grown up on the riverbank I have watched with interest and anger the destruction of a once beautiful river... Unless we do the necessary protective flood mitigation work required to protect Bundaberg further disasters will occur.”

The Burnett River.

Upon initial settlement in the 1800s the Burnett River had a navigable water level of 17 feet at the mouth.

Steamers delivered goods to and loaded produce from the township.

The town developed, and by dredging the river, coastal steamers were loaded with sugar from the sugar shed on the town reach.

In later years to supply additional water for the town a barrage was built at Sandy hook.

This immediately restricted the natural flow of the river, causing silting.

Bundaberg Port was constructed, and the river upstream was neglected.

No dredging was carried out above the Port.

Dams were constructed upstream, silting continued, mud replaced sand on the riverbanks and mangroves that didn’t exist then grew.

These factors further reduced the river flow capacity.

A pristine river was choking.

Flood: In 2013 the river level was 9.53 metres, flooding north, east, parts of south and parts the CBD.

The river broke its northern banks and followed it’s natural flood path through Fairymead, thus saving Bundaberg from further inundation.

Answer? Constantly dredge the river from mouth to the barrage.

Create a flood mitigation channel at a determined river flood height through North Bundaberg to the sea.

Follow the Brisbane City Council and allow only higher-level development in flood prone areas.

Unless we do the necessary protective flood mitigation work required to protect Bundaberg further disasters will occur.

My family home is in Perry St. North Bundaberg.

Having grown up on the riverbank I have watched with interest and anger the destruction of a once beautiful river.

Dan Mahoney, North Bundaberg.