Warning system to boost Oakey's flood defence

OAKEY residents will have an extra defence against wild weather with the installation of an early flood warning system.

OAKEY residents will have an extra defence against wild weather with the installation of an early flood warning system.

A $204,000 State Government funding boost will allow for the extension of current flood warning system developed for Gowrie Ck to town and country areas in the Oakey catchment.

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

The grants came as the mayors of Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Maranoa Regional Council thanked the State Government for millions of dollars of flood funding.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Steve Jones said the $2.3 million in funding dedicated to his region would go towards the planning and design of a number of flood mitigation measures.

Plans include the construction of a 3km levee around Forest Hill and a 7km levee near Laidley.

"We have to try to improve for the future," Cr Jones said.

"I think the Grantham project was a good example of that."

He said work had begun on most of the projects for which the funding was announced.

"This is going to allow us to lift to a higher level."

Maranoa Regional Council Mayor Robert Loughnan was delighted with the announcement of $3.5 million for his region.

"We couldn't be more grateful to the Department of Local Government and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Funds will be used to begin construction of a flood levee on the northern side of Roma.

"It means we can start work by March or April next year," Cr Loughnan said.

He said work was still being done identify a specific site for the levee.

Funding boost

 $204,000 to Toowoomba Regional Council for the extension of the Gowrie Ck early flood warning system

 $2.3 million to Lockyer Valley Regional Council for construction of levees at Forest Hill and Laidley as well as overland flow maps, flood study for Regency Downs and removal of debris from Gatton Ck.

 $3.5 million to Maranoa Regional Council for levee at Roma, rainfall intensity monitoring gauges and the relocation of the Mitchell pump station.

Originally published as Warning system to boost Oakey's flood defence