Ipswich City councillor slammed over lack of flood management plan

An Ipswich City councillor has faced criticism after suggesting residents prepare for flooding by keeping their own personal supply of sandbags and volunteering to help others.

Ipswich residents are becoming increasingly concerned about their safety as flood risks ramp up and their faith in local government’s disaster response competency dwindles.

On Monday night, after weeks of rain and flood warnings, Local Disaster Management Group deputy chair and Ipswich City councillor Kate Kunzelmann announced the council had revised and refined its disaster management policy.

“Our intention is the best possible prevention, preparedness, response and recovery,” Cr Kunzelmann shared to her Facebook page.

“It is also our intention to promote confidence among residents in our disaster response.”

Ipswich City councillor Kate Kunzelmann has received significant backlash online after criticising the effectiveness of sandbags while also suggesting residents keep a stash of them handy in the event of flooding. Picture: Rob Williams / The Queensland Times

She said it was crucial residents themselves “think about” and plan for disaster, suggesting they keep a personal supply of sandbags.

“Sandbags are thought of as the best possible defence against home flooding,” her comment, which has since been deleted, read.

“Studies have shown that there are more effective ways to deal with in (sic) home flooding, as sandbags are not waterproof and while they may reduce the amount of water entering a home, they will not prevent it.

“Ipswich City Council and the State Emergency Service will not routinely provide sandbags. Residents are advised to ensure their own supply of sandbags or look at alternate measures.”

At the end of her post, she referred people to a ‘sandbagging’ page on the Queensland’s website that no longer exists and has not been updated since 2016.

Countless homes and businesses went under as the 2011 flood inundated Ipswich suburbs. Picture: Rob Williams / The Queensland Times

Cr Kunzelmann said it was also important residents consider how they, if unaffected by disaster, may volunteer to help others.

By Tuesday morning, Cr Kunzelmann’s post had received more than 100 comments and 130 shares.

“Disgusting. So pretty much good luck, (fend) for yourself attitude,” Kel Tyler commented.

“Bet the new office building will be sandbagged to the hilt supplied by ratepayers if it floods.”

Another commenter, Natalie Skye, asked Cr Kunzelmann what people who were unable to make their own sandbags – such as the elderly or people with disability – could do to protect themselves.

Barry Adams of Woodend used this dingy to help his family move possessions and themselves to higher ground during the 2011 floods. Picture: David Nielsen / Queensland Times

“Some people are not connected to local groups who can assist them in an emergency,” she wrote.

Others criticised Cr Kunzelmann’s condemnation of sandbags, asking her how else people should prepare for flooding.

“When the 2011 floods happened I helped make sandbags all night at Darra, hours before everyone started losing homes,” Facebook commenter Bobby Skidmore wrote.

“The sheer amount of homes we saved or at least restrict (sic) flood damage. Some homes were salvageable after the waters were gone, if not hundreds or more.

“This has to be a bad joke by the council surely.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has since released a statement about the council’s plan to address flooding in the region.

“Confirming that Ipswich City Council will be providing sandbags to residents who require them during this sustained rain event,” she shared to her Facebook page on Tuesday.

“You can pick up the sandbags from 8.30am this morning at (the) council’s depot at 182-250 Briggs Rd, Flinders View.”

The growing concern among Ipswich residents comes in the wake of severe floods in 2013 and 2011 which had lasting impacts on the region, its businesses, and its people.