Council divided on $174M Bundaberg East Flood Levee following mayor's concerns
The Bundaberg council will push ahead with its $174.7 million flood barrier plans despite the mayor withdrawing her support amid cost and safety fears.
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Bundaberg Regional Council’s decision to proceed with ownership of the Bundaberg East Flood Levee remains unchanged despite Mayor Helen Blackburn’s recent withdrawal of support for the project, citing concerns over community impact and financial burden.
Bundaberg’s proposed East Flood Levee, a $174.7 million project jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments, is intended to protect 1565 buildings in Bundaberg South and East from a 1-in-100-year Burnett River flood.
The mayor has voiced concerns over potential flood risks to areas north of the river, referencing a petition of 5000 residents who called for a project review.
“It would be costly to build, and expensive to maintain for ratepayers, is unwanted by many in the community, and threatens to raise flood waters on the north side of the river, putting more people at risk,” she said.
However, Bundaberg Regional Council CEO Rob Williams said in a statement on Monday that while every elected member was entitled to have, and express, a personal opinion or view, the council had formally accepted asset ownership of the Bundaberg East Flood Levee on the stipulation that the ‘Bundaberg region community would not be expected to fully fund its continued maintenance and operation.’
The council’s acceptance, initially detailed in a Special Meeting resolution in May 2024, includes terms that all operational, maintenance, and renewal costs for the levee would be funded by the Queensland Government, aiming to shield ratepayers from financial strain.
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Originally published as Council divided on $174M Bundaberg East Flood Levee following mayor's concerns
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