Bundaberg East Levee a big boost for flood resilience

8 June 2023

Parts of Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and the city’s CBD will be better protected from future flooding after the Australian and Queensland Governments agreed to build a 1.7km concrete levee parallel to the southern bank of the Burnett River.

The $174.7 million, jointly funded Bundaberg East Levee project will not only help safeguard homes, businesses and the local economy from the devastation of major flooding, it will also create local jobs and business opportunities during its construction.

The project’s concept design – developed with community consultation in 2018 – will mitigate future flood damage within the Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South and Bundaberg CBD precincts.

It involves construction of a concrete levee in two main sections as well as floodgates, flood doors and pump stations across Saltwater Creek and an unnamed creek known locally as ‘Distillery Creek’.

The levee was the most beneficial of four options identified under the 10-year Bundaberg Action Plan as able to help reduce the risk of flood devastation such as that experienced following ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013 and the significant rainfall and flooding early last year.

The Bundaberg East Levee will be a shining example of flood-resilient infrastructure and a valuable, long-term asset for this wonderful region.

The Bundaberg East Levee Project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments through the Queensland Flood Recovery and Resilience Package (part of the $75 million Emergency Response Fund 2021-22), as well as efficiencies Queensland has achieved through the delivery of programs under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

A number of other high-priority flood-mitigation projects across regional Queensland have been funded under the ERF 2021-22, including the:

  • Continued roll-out of the Flood Warning Infrastructure Network ($7 million)
  • Perth Street culverts project – Toowoomba Regional Council ($3.35 million)
  • Price Creek Bridge – Scenic Rim Regional Council ($3.1 million)
  • Easey Street Drain – Southern Downs Regional Council ($1.14 million)
  • Southside Transport Flood Detour Route Upgrade – Gympie Regional Council ($986,000)   
  • Recovery grant – Shared across 23 flood-affected council areas ($1 million)

Further information on the Queensland and New South Wales Flood Recovery and Resilience Package can be found at the National Emergency Management Agency’s website.