Shock reversal: Bundaberg mayor withdraws support for East Flood Levee

Bundaberg’s mayor has taken a bold stand against a proposed Bundaberg East Flood Levee as questions continue to linger over the controversial $174 million proposed project’s future.

Helen Blackburn has withdrawn her support of the Bundaberg East Flood Levee. PHOTO: Lexa Smith

Mayor Helen Blackburn has formally withdrawn her support for the proposed Bundaberg East Flood Levee, expressing deep-seated concerns about its potential impacts on the community and ratepayers.

Ms Blackburn’s latest comments throw new doubt onto the proposed $174 million project proposed as a way to protect the city centre from major flood disasters in the future.
The levee, first designed in 2018 with community input, is proposed to protect 1565 buildings in Bundaberg South and Bundaberg East from a 1-in-100-year Burnett River flood.

Mrs Blackburn said Monday she was long “a sceptic” of the plan and now believed the levee project is not in the community’s best interest, citing concerns over cost, lack of community support, and potential risks to areas north of the river.

Red Shed Seafood owner Tony Mills is concerned with how the build will affect his business.

“It would be costly to build, and expensive to maintain for ratepayers, is unwanted by many in the community, (evidenced by a petition of 5000 residents calling for a review), and threatens to raise flood waters on the north side of the river, putting more people at risk,” Ms Blackburn said.

Her view was shared by members of the Bundaberg Flood Protection Group with Sid McKeown and Tony Mills openly welcoming the opposition.

“Of course, we want to see action to protect Bundaberg from major flooding,” Mr McKeown said.

“The project would create more problems than solutions.”

Instead of the levee, Ms Blackburn advocates for a North Bundaberg evacuation route which she viewed as a higher priority in protecting residents from isolation during flooding.

“I strongly support a North Bundaberg evacuation route as a priority project, which will prevent thousands of residents in our region from being isolated.

“Instead, it will allow them access to supplies and emergency services. People must come before property,” she said.

Ms Blackburn said her views do not represent the Bundaberg Regional Council’s official stance.

Ms Blackburn indicated that the council continues to support the levee project given the state government cover maintenance costs, despite her personal reservations.

She said her opposition to the levee is based on her beliefs, not council’s financial decisions.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said in a media release on Wednesday the project is already underway with funding from state and federal governments. Photo: Geordi Offord

Bundaberg MP, Tom Smith said it is disappointing that the Mayor has “once again demonstrated that her word does not mean much to the people of our community”.

“First, the Mayor said there would be rate discounts, and she did not deliver.

“Now, the Mayor has gone against her own Council’s unanimous resolution to support the infrastructure delivery.”

One of those who would be affected by the proposed levee, Red Shed Seafood owner Tony Mills, expressed concerns about business disruption and lack of information.

Mr Mills had concerns North Bundaberg would be turned into a “moat,” worsening conditions for residents, too.

“We’ve had very little consultation,” Mr Mills said.

“I’ve got five trawlers behind my business that turn over about $1 million a year, and they’ve all got staff that’ll be unemployed,” he said.

“They won’t be able to unload there.”