New flood warning for Fernvale

A FLOOD warning system will be installed in Fernvale following a State Government grant.

A FLOOD warning system will be installed in Fernvale following a State Government grant.

The Somerset Regional Council has received $752,000 from the Queensland government to install an early warning system.

Somerset mayor Graeme Lehmann said a report had been commissioned regarding the installation of a warning system across the region.

"The report estimated a region-wide warning system would cost $2.6 million," he said.

Cr Lehmann said the Fernvale system would be the first of a larger network across the Somerset region.

"We have received $752,000 to fund the Fernvale component of the project, which will involve installing monitoring systems and gauges to alert residents and council how much water is coming down the Brisbane River and Lockyer Creek."

Cr Lehmann said the council would soon be inviting tenders to deliver the project.

"The system still needs to be designed," he said.

Cr Lehmann said the system would provide a safety net for residents of the area once it was fully operational.

"Once implemented, it will be another step forward for the Somerset region in terms of disaster preparedness.

"It is good news for the residents of Fernvale."

Cr Lehmann said there was potential for the system to work in concert with a similar flood warning system being installed in the Lockyer Valley.

He said the creation of a region-wide network also included the operators of south-east Queensland's major dams.

"We're also keen to work with the operators of Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams and the Bureau of Meteorology to ensure a fully integrated warning system," he said.

Originally published as New flood warning for Fernvale