Bundaberg flood protection delays condemned by Stephen Bennett

Labor MP Tom Smith and LNP MP Stephen Bennett have criticised each other over delays in properly protecting the homes, businesses and people of Bundaberg against another catastrophic flood.

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith said the Bundaberg East Flood Levee remained the state government’s number one flood mitigation project in Queensland ahead of the state budget to be handed down in June 2023.

His comment was in response to Burnett LNP MP Stephen Bennett saying he had put the Premier on notice over the failure to install flood protection in Bundaberg.

A decade-long delay was not good enough, Mr Bennett said.

“It’s been 10 years since our region experienced a tragic natural disaster with severe flooding,” he said.

“After many reports and studies, the Palaszczuk Government again reviewed the previous recommendations and finally promised “boots on the ground” in 2015.

“The problem from day one has been the secrecy and lack of information available to residents affected by the flood,” Mr Bennett said.

RECORD FLOOD: Bundaberg railway bridge stands strong as the worst floods the town has seen in recorded history test its foundations.Photo: Max Fleet / NewsMail

Mr Smith said Mr Bennett had failed “to stand up against (Federal LNP MP) Keith Pitt, who personally intervened in blocking any funding from the former coalition government”.

“I continue to work with the new Federal Labor Government and am certain that the Albanese Labor Government will deliver their fair share,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Bennett said it had been 10 years since the region had experienced a tragic natural disaster with severe flooding.

“After many reports and studies, the Palaszczuk Government again reviewed the previous recommendations and finally promised “boots on the ground” in 2015,” he said.

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“The problem from day one has been the secrecy and lack of information available to residents affected by the flood.

“With the upcoming state budget it’s a timely reminder of the false and misleading announcements relating to the delayed flood mitigation projects.

“The government failed to negotiate and communicate with the funding partners in the federal government and the many local stakeholders who have continually asked for their ideas and solutions to be considered.

“Many of us still don’t understand what is being proposed and how much is being budgeted.

Quay Street resident Len Reif is not convinced that a flood wall will solve the flooding issues in East Bundaberg.

“We should also note that there’s never been a single cent committed in any budget for the East Bundaberg flood levee after promises were made for $42 million in 2019.

“There also does not appear to be any allocation in the recent federal budget.

“What concerns many of us is the politicisation of the flood mitigation issue as well as the anticipated re-announcements of delayed projects like the flood levee in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

“The flood mitigation issue is too important to not listen to those who still have major concerns with the original proposals.”

Originally published as Bundaberg flood protection delays condemned by Stephen Bennett