‘Temporary fix’: Levee ready to go in event of Maryborough flood

The city where a failed penstock gate allowed January floodwaters to breach a levee in the CBD is ready to withstand a major flood this weekend according to the local mayor.

Maryborough’s levee system is ready to go in the event of a major flood, says Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour.

It comes after a penstock gate, designed to keep floodwaters out of the city’s CBD, failed during the inundation in January.

The failure of the gate allowed the rising river to rush through the stormwater system underneath CBD streets, breaching the levee designed to protect the city heart.

It lead to a mammoth Plan B effort which saw council crews work through the night with diesel pumps to prevent severe inundation.

The levee being constructed in Maryborough's CBD.

As the region prepared for a possible round two ahead of the weekend, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said a “temporary fix” was in place and the levee would be able to be used in the event of a major flood.

“We’re playing very close attention to the updates from BOM,” Cr Seymour said.

He said most predictions suggested Maryborough would not be hit with another major flood.

But Cr Seymour confirmed that the council would be able to seal off the stormwater system if the time came.

He said the Fraser Coast had gone from drought and tough water restrictions to experiencing flood conditions in a matter of months.

“It really shows the wild nature of Queensland’s weather,” Cr Seymour said.

He urged the community to stay safe, remain out of flooded areas and avoid flooded roads.

Originally published as ‘Temporary fix’: Levee ready to go in event of Maryborough flood