Council tests newest flood defence
Published on 16 December 2015
A temporary flood barrier is being trialled in North Rockhampton this week, in an exercise to assist in future flood events.
Rockhampton Regional Council has been busy installing the structure today and will disassemble it again tomorrow.
The exercise is being carried out on the corner of Ellis and Rodboro Streets – an area which sees heavy backup of floodwaters during flood events, from Frenchman’s Creek and overland flow paths.
Chair of Council’s Local Disaster Management Group, Cr Tony Williams said the barrier is Council’s latest efforts in combating flooding in the Region.
“These types of temporary structures have proven highly successful in protecting properties from floodwaters and we are very pleased to have this for the future,” Cr Williams said.
“They can be installed in a relatively short amount of time and run for approximately 400 metres.”
The barrier is fully collapsible and is stored in containers off site until required.
“Practice runs are important as we need to ensure we are up to speed with just what’s involved with installation,” Cr Williams said.
“This is the second time Council crews have installed the barrier and the first time it has been set up in a specific flood prone area where it will be used in future.”
The barrier is part of the first stage of the North Rockhampton Flood Mitigation Project, which works to keep 400 properties dry during the next flood event.
How the barrier works:
The barriers consist of collapsible galvanised steel supports, which are easily opened and locked into a 45-degree position.
Steel supports are then placed in position and connected using rods which fix the distance between the frames which together provides ease of assembly and high strength construction.
Aluminium sheets are secured to the supports and covered with a waterproof plastic membrane. This membrane is weighted down with chains until the water arrives and the weight of the water then holds the membrane in place.
As the water level rises, it flows onto the waterproof membrane, which extends out from the front of the barrier on the ground. The weight of water on the membrane provides an effective seal against the ground minimising seepage under the barrier.
The pressure of the water on the sloped face of the barrier anchors the supports to the ground and a series of collars integrated into the bottom face of the supports assists in the very effective anchoring system of the barrier.