$7 million in new flood warning infrastructure coming to southern Queensland

Queensland communities hardest hit by the floods of 2022 are sharing in a $7 million investment by the Australian Government to strengthen the state’s flood resilience.

The funding will allow 23 councils, from Balonne through the south-east to Gladstone, to install new and upgraded assets for Queensland’s Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN).

A total of 260 assets, including rainfall and river height gauges, flood cameras, electronic signage, data communication repeaters, and sensor technology, will be delivered as part of 170 projects.

Councils, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have identified the local flooding needs the projects will address.

Each of the 23 councils will receive up to $235,000 for their new flood warning infrastructure.

A further $1 million will fund 14 high-priority projects within nine of the eligible councils recommended by the BOM for Australia’s National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP). 

Councils will supply and install assets funded for their local government area, with BOM to take ownership of the NFWINP assets after installation.

Funding for the new assets has been made through the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund, with $75 million allocated to a Queensland Flood Recovery and Resilience Package that is backing numerous local projects across the state’s south.

Investing in best practice flood warning infrastructure will better protect communities against future flooding based on their unique, localised needs.

Earlier flood warnings and more comprehensive information captured will significantly improve Queensland’s defence against disaster events and help keep communities safe during severe weather.

Since 2017 the Queensland Reconstruction Authority has secured more than $25 million for the state’s FWIN, which features more than 3,300 rainfall and river gauges operated by approximately 60 entities across government and the private sector.

More information about Queensland’s Flood Warning Infrastructure Network can be found at www.qra.qld.gov.au/fwin.