Council receives funding for Oakey early warning system

THE State Government has announced funding for Toowoomba Regional Council to strengthen the community’s defences against floods.

THE State Government has announced funding for Toowoomba Regional Council to strengthen the community's defences against floods.

Council has received $204,000 from the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program-Flood Response 2012-2013 for the Oakey Early Flood Warning System.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said it was vital work started as soon as possible.

"This money will allow Council to extend the current flood warning system developed for Gowrie Creek to town and country areas in the Oakey catchment," Mr Crisafulli said.

A network of rainfall and stream gauges will be installed in the area to give advanced warning of flooding to Oakey residents.

Councils across the state will share in $13.4 million this year to deliver the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendations.

It is the first instalment of a $40 million fund to be rolled out over the next three years.

"The state's 73 councils are in the best position to deliver what's needed to protect their communities against future floods.

"We'll do our bit to help them by getting the money from this year's budget out to them as soon as possible," Mr Crisafulli said.

"In a state like Queensland, no one can afford to be complacent about preventing damage from natural disasters.

"It's not a matter of "If" there's the next big flood; it's a matter of being prepared when it happens."

Originally published as Council receives funding for Oakey early warning system