By JONATHON HOWARD
WARWICK East residents, affected by flood events, have called on the Southern Downs Regional Council to end their misery by elevating their homes.
An estimated 40 residents around Pratten St, Hope St, Percy St, McEvoy St, Fitzroy St and surrounds were inundated with floodwater during the 2010, 2011 and more recent 2013 flood events.
Residents are now calling on the council to forego costly leaflet campaigns and flood education programs; in favour of elevating their homes and ensuring their future safety, and retaining property values.
More than 40 Warwick east residents attended a flood forum on Wednesday, 17 April, hosted by the Southern Downs Regional Council at the Warwick East Bowls Club.
Council community development officer, Pam Burley, facilitated the meeting with support from council staff and Councillor Denis Ingram.
Each resident was asked to give their name and street address, before they were encouraged to express their concerns and complaints in small workshop groups.
While many residents have backed the idea of raising their homes, several other matters also topped the list of concerns; including a lack of communications and inaccurate flood reporting, which many residents said was contradictory or ill-informed.
“Those reporting flood events need to ensure the information is up-to-date and accurate, to avoid any confusion during these events,” one resident said.
The next burning issue was the need to reduce the number of flood sightseers or “flood gawkers” – those wanting to get a front row seat as Warwick east houses were inundated.
Several residents called for greater police presence and widening of road blockages, after scores of onlookers bypassed signage and vied for positions to witness the devastation.
Pratten St home owner Jim MacPherson said he was shocked by the behaviour of several flood gawkers – some of whom refused to move their cars to allow residents to evacuate.
“Many people brought their families and pets along to watch residents struggle during the floods,” he said.
“Very few sightseers offered assistance and there needs to be greater enforcement of street blockages.”
The residents were now calling for solutions to the flood issue, including Chris Hoffman and Rosemary Addis, both home owners on Pratten St – who want an end to the band-aid fixes.
“There’s no point putting a band-aid over it any longer and there’s no point council spending more on printing another information flyer, or investing in flood studies,” Mrs Addis said.
“The solution lies in lifting those affected homes and ensuring the destruction from future flood events is avoided, and residents can retain some of the value and certainty in their homes and futures.”
Early estimates to lift around 40 homes would cost in excess of $25,000 each or around a total of $1 million.
But residents said the alternative would be to redesign flood mitigation levies, improve bridges and flood causeways, which could cost many millions.
“It’s the only solution going forward to help improve the safety and long term liveability of Warwick east,” Mrs Addis said.
Plan won’t lift off
SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council Director of Engineering Services, Peter See, who was present during the recent flood forum, said elevating Warwick East homes to avoid future flooding was an “unlikely scenario”.
“This is unlikely due to the very high cost to council due to the broader budget needs,” Mr See said.
“Council would certainly support the intent if state or federal governments could provide the funding.”
However, when considering the high cost of flood mitigation such as raising bridges to improved water flow, Mr See was asked whether it would not be more economical to simply lift these homes away from the flood danger.
“Possibly, but no value for money comparison has been done,” he said.
“The primary bridges are Madsen which is federally controlled and McCahon which is state controlled. There are multiple jurisdictions involved.”
Mr See was also asked to reveal what council had spent on flood mitigation thus far in Warwick East.
“Nothing of consequence for mitigation, but we are about to roll out a large education program about flood hazards by November this year,” he said.
“Council has expended funds on a flood study for the Condamine River, which has been completed and draft flood studies for Stanthorpe and Leyburn, which are about to be presented to council.
“From these studies flood mapping has been produced and this information will be included in the education program for residents.”
