Maryborough’s $6 million flood levee praised in review

A review of the Maryborough flood levee has found it a success for keeping water out of the city just weeks after it was initially breached. Report findings have revealed the number of businesses saved by the $6m structure.

Just six weeks after a penstock gate failed in January, letting stormwater into Maryborough’s CBD underneath the levee that had been erected to keep the floodwaters out, the council was again facing another flood emergency as heavy rain fell across the catchment area of the Mary River.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council had quickly moved to replace the penstock gate that failed, meaning the levee was ready to go again as the river rose for a second time.

This time the efforts were a success, with the levee saving dozens of CBD businesses from further disaster.

Now the $6 million levee has received praise from Inspector-General Emergency Management Alistair Dawson after a review of the state’s emergency management response.

The levee holding the the floodwaters out of Maryborough CBD.

The report found that the second time around, the 150-metre-long levee saved more than 40 businesses from inundation and that it had heightened community awareness about preparing for severe weather events.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the levee was an important part of Maryborough’s flood defences.

After the gate failed during the first flood, within weeks the council had engineered a new solution to take to place of the penstock gate and keep water out of the stormwater system in the event of another flood, Cr Seymour said.

Maryborough flood levee: What the council says really failed

The fast actions of the council paid off when an even bigger flood hit the region in March.

The first flood reached 9.95m, while the second hit 10.3m.

Cr Seymour said it was important that the council were always prepared in the event of a disaster, as well as residents.

He said the inspector-general had been generally very supportive of the community resilience and the flood response.

As La Nina weather conditions continue, Cr Seymour the Fraser Coast needed to be prepared any ready.

Water on the other side of the levee.

Fraser Coast Councillor Daniel Sanderson praised the investment in the levee for helping to protect businesses.

“The levee was vital in helping to protect many businesses in the Maryborough CBD,” he said.

“Without this protection, we would have faced a wholly different scenario and challenge.

“It was a great team effort by all involved in helping to protect our great city through a very challenging time.”