Alternative Flood Warning Infrastructure Guideline supports flood warning needs
Expanding on traditional flood warning infrastructure like manually checked rain gauges and flood height markers, communities across Queensland are exploring exciting new options to increase local flood awareness.
Recent innovations leveraging modern technology including solar-powered flood cameras and radar water level sensors have seen an explosion in alternative flood warning infrastructure.
This alternative infrastructure has the potential to deliver substantial benefits for the community and all stakeholders in the flood risk management space, complementing Australia's existing Flood Warning Infrastructure Standard gauge network.
New technology offering cheaper, readily deployable assets that demonstrate a high degree of accuracy can often be installed for a fraction of the cost of Flood Warning Infrastructure Standard compliant gauges.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), the state's lead agency for disaster resilience and recovery, published the Alternative Flood Warning Infrastructure (Rain and Level Gauges) Guideline for Minimum Requirements at www.qra.qld.gov.au/fwin/standards.
Previously there have been no standards for alternative flood warning infrastructure, making it hard for local councils to procure these assets.
QRA has been working in the flood risk management space for more than a decade, and this guideline is the latest work they've delivered to increase Queensland's flood resilience.
The guideline will help councils and other future asset owners purchase quality, fit-for-purpose infrastructure that meets local flood warning needs.
Since 2017, QRA has secured more than $25 million for flood gauges and other flood warning infrastructure across Queensland through a mix of state funded programs, Commonwealth programs and jointly funded programs.
The Queensland Government will continue working with all stakeholders on flood warning infrastructure and exploring exciting new options for these vital assets.
