Rockhampton Regional Council is pleased to announce the commencement of phase 2 in the Flood Risk Management Studies (FRMS) for the local creek and catchment areas of Frenchmans and Thozets Creeks, Moores Creek, and South Rockhampton. These studies will inform a Floodplain Management Plan for each area.
The studies have been made possible thanks to $350,000 in funding from the Queensland Government’s North Queensland Natural Disaster Mitigation Program administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
Local Disaster Management Group Deputy Chair Councillor Drew Wickerson said the studies for these vital catchment areas aim to address both current and future flooding concerns effectively.
“The planning that we’re undertaking will mean improved emergency response planning and management,” Mayor Williams said.
“One of the cornerstones of this project is community engagement. Council recognizes the significance of obtaining feedback from residents to validate data and gain insights into individual flood experiences.
“We are progressing to phase two of consultation which provides an opportunity for residents to engage directly with the project team.
“During this phase, residents will receive an outline of the flood risks identified in their areas. They can provide feedback and input into how they manage flood risk and potential flood risk management measures being developed.
“Community information sessions have been scheduled across the catchment areas in October 2023 to facilitate this vital dialogue. Residents are encouraged to attend any session that best suits their availability. Alternatively, they can access the information online on Councils Engagement Website”
Infrastructure Councillor Ellen Smith said these studies will result in the development of a range of maps illustrating the varying nature of flood risk across the study area.
“These maps will identify problem flooding areas, and will inform potential structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures,” Cr Smith said.
“The valuable first-hand experiences and information shared by residents are essential for corroborating the flooding model and technical investigations.
“Rockhampton Regional Council remains committed to working collaboratively with the community to enhance flood resilience and protect our local catchment areas.
“These crucial studies are currently in progress and are expected to be completed by December 2023.”
