‘We need warning’: Plea to fix ageing flood warning system
As parts of Queensland once again go under water, there are urgent pleas for an upgrade to the state’s patchy flood warning system.
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There are new pleas to fix Queensland’s ageing flood warning system, which has become patchy and inconsistent, leaving residents at risk of being caught out in floods larger than predicted.
The Local Government Association of Queensland says the state is without the best-possible available warning system.
It is understood councils are uniting in a plea to the Federal Government to chip in $211 million over four years to resurrect and upgrade the series of flood gauges, river height stations and rainfall stations, as well as purchase hundreds more.
The State Government has already committed to meet half the funding required.
There 2700 rain gauges and 1800 river level gauges in the state owned by 60 different organisations, include the Bureau of Meteorology, the State Government and various councils.
As well as being exposed to the elements, the gauges have been damaged by incidents ranging from crocodile attacks to lightning strikes, and solar panel thefts.
Local Government Association of Queensland boss Alison Smith said the system needed to be properly funded and consistently maintained.
“Instead of Australia’s most disaster-prone state having the best possible warning system we have one where some communities rely on weather monitors wading through dangerous floodwaters to manually read gauges so they can protect their neighbours, friends and family,” she said.
“Councils want to be reassured that the flood warning network that helps protect their communities is fit for purpose and appropriately maintained.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said residents were taken by surprise due to a broken gauge a fortnight ago when the Daintree River rose eight metres instead of the predicted six.
“We can’t plan for things if you don’t have the warnings,” he said.
“Once it starts flooding, our community can’t get to sandbags, they can’t get to the town so we need to give them enough warning so they can get to places to get what they need to.”
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt’s spokeswoman said there had been $40 million in joint funding from Palaszczuk and Albanese Government’s for disaster resilience including for flood warning systems, rainfall and river gauges.
“We continue to look for ways to work with all levels of government to keep Queenslanders safe from natural disasters including floods,” she said.
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