Debris deflectors in the pipeline for flood mitigation efforts

Published on 27 August 2015

Project plans continue to flow for Rockhampton Regional Council, in an effort to boost the Rockhampton Region’s flood resilience.

One mitigation project in the pipeline through Council’s 2015-16 Budget is the installation of debris deflectors on culverts/bridges in North Rockhampton.

Council have committed $170,000 toward the project, and will also soon seek external funding to add to the upcoming flood mitigation efforts.

Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Councillor Tony Williams said the project would provide major benefits in a future flood event.

“This project is among a number Council are working toward to reduce the effects of flooding in our Region,” Cr Williams said.

“It focuses on culverts which often become blocked by upstream debris during heavy rain events and cause flood waters to spread and linger.”

The project currently focuses on the culverts at Rockonia Road and Beasley Street in North Rockhampton.

If successful in sourcing external funding, Council will also see works extended to other culverts in the area.

“Larger objects often become trapped in these locations and then continue to trap smaller objects until a complete blockage occurs,” Cr Williams said.  

“By installing deflector walls, we would reduce the opportunity for debris build up and blockages and see floodwater getting away in a shorter timeframe.”

Council will apply for funding assistance for the projects under the State Government’s Community Resilience Fund next month.