A report investigating flood concerns of local residents in Male Road, Caboolture, has been adopted by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said the report had been commissioned by council.
“A copy of the report will be provided to residents of Male Road followed by a public presentation and feedback session expected in early December,” the Mayor said.
“The report’s recommendations include requesting the Department of Transport and Main Roads consider upgrading a section of the southbound lane of the Bruce Highway at King John Creek to reduce flooding.
"Future zoning of Male Road properties will be considered as part of the new Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme currently being developed to ensure the zoning is compatible with the floodplain.
“It's a large body of work that's ongoing and will also include public consultation, with finalisation not expected until the 2013/14 financial year.
“Additional considerations for local residents are also included in the report including flood resilience and resistance measures that may be implemented by property owners over the longer term. These measures should be balanced by a careful concerted approach, backed by engineering advice and design.”
The Mayor said council had implemented a number of disaster management enhancements since the January floods.
“Updated flood maps are available to local residents on council’s website, and there has been an expansion of council’s social media capacity with a Facebook page and Twitter account to be activated during an event,” Mayor Sutherland said.
“Council recently approved new funding to install a gauge upstream of Male Road with the gauge expected to be installed in the next few months.
“This gauge will complement the new alert system being developed by council. Council will talk with residents at the upcoming public meeting about the MoretonAlert system and how they can register to receive alert messages.”
Mayor Sutherland said council’s working group examining the viability of a flood buy-back scheme was expected to report to council in early 2012.
Mayor Sutherland said Male Road flooding has also been examined by the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.
“Council officers and local residents gave evidence at the Commission of Inquiry in September 2011,” the Mayor said.
“At that time council officers advised the Commission that a council investigation was underway and a draft report was provided to the Commission for its consideration.
“The Commission may also provide further guidance to council on this matter when it hands down its final report in February following this latest round of public hearings.”
