Flood information - links

[Golliwog]

I think it might be spelt Windermere. Its not actually a suburb, but a development in 17 Mile Rocks, between the DFO and basically Rock Riverside Park or whatever its called.

I didn't see there post-floods but the volunteer bus that eventually took us further up river did drive through the area to the west of the Western Freeway and most of it was completely devastated.

Newman is a fool.  He should have muttered the appropriate bi-partisan support comments, highlighting the general concerns, rather than grandstanding and going for the cheap political shot.  I was impressed with talk back callers, they had him nailed right from the initial comments.

+1, though I didn't hear the talkback callers, though from what you're saying about them I feel I would completely agree with what they had to say, and I agree with Blighs comments today about not needing someone talking about coulda woulda shoulda.

[ozbob]

It is known locally as Windermere, it is that newish development on the old dairy farm.

The 468 bus services it --> http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110606-467,468.pdf

Note proximity to the river.

[somebody]

Exactly the sort of place which probably would have been saved by dropping the dam 5% in 2010 (combined with changes in the operating strategy, of course).  Not that anyone has done any modelling.

[ozbob]

Doubt it, it was always paddocks for cows for a very good reason ...  I used to take my daughters there to see the dairy cows and the farm buildings.  Marvellous, a working dairy farm in the suburbs...

[Golliwog]

Exactly the sort of place which probably would have been saved by dropping the dam 5% in 2010 (combined with changes in the operating strategy, of course).  Not that anyone has done any modelling.

I call shenanigans. Dropping it by 5% would have done bugger all. Also, from reading the report, they don't appear to have any problems at all with how the dam was opperated during the flood. As for doing the modelling, do you have any idea how complex and computer intensive accurate flood models are? Evening just modelling a small section of river during NORMAL conditions using accurate modelling software can take a few days using a supercomputer. You want them to do the whole river, and on top of that, to accurately model flood conditions? Flood conditions where how the river channel handles water can change dramatically (Look at Moores pocket where during the flood the water took the shortcut across the bend in the river)? Good luck with that.

[somebody]

Exactly the sort of place which probably would have been saved by dropping the dam 5% in 2010 (combined with changes in the operating strategy, of course).  Not that anyone has done any modelling.

I call shenanigans. Dropping it by 5% would have done bugger all. Also, from reading the report, they don't appear to have any problems at all with how the dam was opperated during the flood. As for doing the modelling, do you have any idea how complex and computer intensive accurate flood models are? Evening just modelling a small section of river during NORMAL conditions using accurate modelling software can take a few days using a supercomputer. You want them to do the whole river, and on top of that, to accurately model flood conditions? Flood conditions where how the river channel handles water can change dramatically (Look at Moores pocket where during the flood the water took the shortcut across the bend in the river)? Good luck with that.

I don't think I was suggesting that *I* would model such a thing.  Although they have had no real trouble with wasting said supercomputer's time with modelling what would occur if they dropped the dam level by 25% but left the operating strategy unchanged, i.e. only opening the gates from 67.25m AHD lake level, which is the current point.

I haven't read the inquiry's interim report yet, but isn't the major recommendation that the dam level be dropped pre-emptively in such circumstances?  I think there is a recommendation about giving more credence to rainfall forecasts which is a two edged sword.  If that had happened, they would have opened the gates faster and (without changes to the manual) higher and also closed them slower, as there were forecasts of more rain which didn't materialise at the end of the flood = bigger flood and more damage.

[mufreight]

Exactly the sort of place which probably would have been saved by dropping the dam 5% in 2010 (combined with changes in the operating strategy, of course).  Not that anyone has done any modelling.

I call shenanigans. Dropping it by 5% would have done bugger all. Also, from reading the report, they don't appear to have any problems at all with how the dam was opperated during the flood. As for doing the modelling, do you have any idea how complex and computer intensive accurate flood models are? Evening just modelling a small section of river during NORMAL conditions using accurate modelling software can take a few days using a supercomputer. You want them to do the whole river, and on top of that, to accurately model flood conditions? Flood conditions where how the river channel handles water can change dramatically (Look at Moores pocket where during the flood the water took the shortcut across the bend in the river)? Good luck with that.

I don't think I was suggesting that *I* would model such a thing.  Although they have had no real trouble with wasting said supercomputer's time with modelling what would occur if they dropped the dam level by 25% but left the operating strategy unchanged, i.e. only opening the gates from 67.25m AHD lake level, which is the current point.

I haven't read the inquiry's interim report yet, but isn't the major recommendation that the dam level be dropped pre-emptively in such circumstances?  I think there is a recommendation about giving more credence to rainfall forecasts which is a two edged sword.  If that had happened, they would have opened the gates faster and (without changes to the manual) higher and also closed them slower, as there were forecasts of more rain which didn't materialise at the end of the flood = bigger flood and more damage.

A hydrologist used to be employed by the Government tell the story that had the dam been operated to the original flood mitigation plan the peak level at Ipswich would have been some 3.5m lower so obviously someone did their homework post the 74 floods.
All of which once more raises the question why the dam on the Bremer River was not built, between the two of them the flood levels would have been some 7m+ lower.
No relief for those at Grantham but it would have saved many downstream of the dams and the Minister claims that he has done his best, no further comment needed.

[Golliwog]

I'm not sure what modelling they did with the 25% figure, but suspect it may be just a capacity thing, ie: there would have been room for the dam to swallow an extra Xm3 so the dam would have been able to hold out longer before having to release as much which would have (IMO) spread the peak more. If you look at two of the graphs in the report (I think its in section 4? The one about operation of the dam) it shows the flood volume/second at Moggill as it was, and then with the flows that came from Wivenhoe removed (so leaving those from Lockyer Valley, etc) and the Wivenhoe peak lands pretty much right on top of the end of the peak from the Lockyer Valley. Though the other problem IIRC was one of their measuring gauges on the Lockyer Creek (or was it Bremer? I think Lockyer though) got wiped out by the torrent going down it so they didn't have much to go on in terms of what the flow was coming down that creek, though I think they did have other guages further down the creek.

The big crazy hard models I mentioned are about working out where the water flows when its going down the river, how deep it is, how fast its flowing, etc.

Also, I'm not going to pretend I've read the report, or even a quarter of it, I've skimmed a few of the sections of interest to me. If you read the report and anything I've put up here is wrong, I'll be more than happy to be proven so. Though my understanding from the report was there is a bit of lee-way with the operations manual which I think should remain. They could have gone to level W4 which is about protecting the dam's integrity and aiming to stop the water rising (so basically making outflows match or exceed inflows) earlier, if they had wanted to. However, they wanted to, for as long as possible, limit the flows down stream, and so protect the areas down stream from flooding which IMO is the right thing to do. I don't think they should be making decisions based on weather predictions, as they are not certain, however they should take them into account and prepare for the possibility they do occur.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Funding war brews over disaster plan

Funding war brews over disaster plan

   Michael Madigan and Kate Higgins
   From: The Courier-Mail
   August 03, 2011 12:00AM

A FUNDING war is looming between the State Government and Queensland mayors as flood inquiry recommendations threaten to push beleaguered councils to the financial wall.

The recommendations, designed to head off a second catastrophe in 12 months, require some councils to make large, unplanned outlays before summer's storm clouds roll in.

Councils, burdened with unprecedented costs following the summer of disaster, will demand extra state funding to implement the report's recommendations.
Where's the money coming from, Anna? Details in The Courier-Mail's Wednesday print edition.

Premier Anna Bligh, who won't be calling for any increase in the federal flood levy to cover costs, has warned she expects councils to find their own funding.

"Any genuine case of hardship will, of course, be looked at," Ms Bligh said.

Installation of river gauges, a key recommendation, will alone blow out an average council's annual budget by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"This is not a burden to be carried by the average ratepayer," Local Government Association of Queensland president Paul Bell said.

"This is an issue way bigger than that. The Government of Queensland is going to have to kick the can."

Resources and equipment needed statewide include:

• Swift water rescue teams

• Flood boats

• New SES units

• State-wide training

The State Government and Opposition are still costing the recommendations but the premier says that, regardless of costs, she will find the money to cover state expenditure.

Ms Bligh has not detailed where the extra money, expected to increase the Emergency Services budget significantly over several years, will come from.

"We have committed to implementing all of the recommendations of the report that relate to the State Government and I would expect councils to actively work to implement all of theirs," she said.

"If we fail to make that investment, then in my view it will be much more expensive in the long term in both financial and human costs."

A recommendation for extra swift water rescue technicians because numbers are "manifestly inadequate" already looks problematic. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Lee Johnson yesterday said he couldn't guarantee existing quotas of 253 swift water rescue technicians could be met by the next wet season.

QFRS currently has 222 technicians, up from 203 at the beginning of the year.

"The training requirements to get someone through this process as it stands is a 12-month journey," he said.

"People also have to be keen to undertake training and become specialist rescuers."

Beyond the 175 recommendations, Government and Opposition are now both considering a proposal to increase storage capacity at Wivenhoe Dam.

That alone, according to one four-year old estimate, would cost more than $250 million.

In the event of another heavy wet season, pressure would be on the 2011-12 budget for more high-clearance vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Mr Bell said the requirement for more river gauges was a big impost for councils at an estimated $55,000 a station.

"The installation of that equipment is only around 20 per cent of the ongoing costs," Mr Bell said. Many councils would require a series of gauges and extra employees to maintain and monitor them.

He said the need to have new equipment installed before the wet season would only further escalate costs.

[SurfRail]

Just borrow it.  Better debt than wet.

[ozbob]

Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State
The Honourable Paul Lucas
03/08/2011

Lucas says no to Howard Smith Wharves

Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas today announced that a Brisbane City Council proposal to develop the Howard Smith Wharves precinct would not be approved by the State Government.

Mr Lucas said that events in January had highlighted very obvious problems and risks with the proposed plan for the area which included commercial and retail development on a flood prone site.

"It was clearly unacceptable to be proposing such a development in an area so prone to flooding," Mr Lucas said.

"Post the flood, the Council has worked well with the State government in relation to a Temporary Local Planning Instrument to deal with flooding issues pending the final deliberations of the Commission of Inquiry.

"But the Howard Smith Wharves site wasn't partially inundated, it was essentially totally inundated.

"It makes no sense whatsoever to allow the amendments put forward by Brisbane City Council to proceed.

"The impact of the January floods is not to be disregarded just because Council is the land owner."

Mr Lucas said that he had previously approved local area plans in Brisbane, such as South Brisbane and Bulimba, which were partially, but not totally subjected to flooding in January 2011.

"In these plans, Council is required to acknowledge the January flood impacts, and to ensure any future recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry are considered and addressed when this information becomes available.

"For Howard Smith Wharves, the site was essentially 100% flood affected in January 2011, so it is not appropriate to approve this plan in the same manner and I will not be approving it.

"This is the same degree of caution and discretion applied recently by the Brisbane City Council in relation to the Mirvac site at Tennyson.

"This Tennyson site was completely inundated by the January floods and Council correctly acknowledged that it would be inappropri ate for development to proceed as planned.

"Brisbane City Council felt that the flood impacts were so significant that they chose to purchase the land to be turned into parkland.

"I am exercising the same level of responsibility and consideration in my decision not to approve plans to build at Howard Smith Wharves.

"This Government's policy is to mitigate the adverse impacts of flooding, and that's what this decision does."

Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace welcomed the decision and said there were important historical buildings on the Howard Smith Wharves site.

"Whatever we do with Howard Smith Wharves, we need to get it right," Ms Grace said.

"I'm sure that with thought and further community consultation, Brisbane City Council can come up with the appropriate mixture of tourist and community friendly uses that will make it a mecca, not a flood hazard."

==============================================================

[somebody]

I'm not sure what modelling they did with the 25% figure, but suspect it may be just a capacity thing, ie: there would have been room for the dam to swallow an extra Xm3 so the dam would have been able to hold out longer before having to release as much which would have (IMO) spread the peak more.

I am certain this is incorrect.  What they did was calculate what would have happened if the dam started with less water but the gates were still opened after 67.25m.  A ridiculous notion.

Even a small drop in the base level means the 74m is reached hours later, which also means that they are unable to increase the flow at Moggill above the 4000m^3/s level until hours later.  Of course in a bigger flood it would have made less of a difference.

Not sure why you call shennanigans.

[Golliwog]

I am certain this is incorrect.  What they did was calculate what would have happened if the dam started with less water but the gates were still opened after 67.25m.  A ridiculous notion.

Even a small drop in the base level means the 74m is reached hours later, which also means that they are unable to increase the flow at Moggill above the 4000m^3/s level until hours later.  Of course in a bigger flood it would have made less of a difference.

Not sure why you call shennanigans.

Wait, so if they had less water to start with they should have opened the gates at a lower or higher depth than 67.25m?

I called shennanigans on your comment about emptying 5% of the capacity of the dam back in November/whenever saving a bunch of places from flooding. Its also impossible to predict exactly how a scenario is going to pan out. If for example the second rain event had come from the Lockyer Valley first, then into the Wivenhoe catchment, then we could have achieved the same thing as the peak from below the dam wall flows would have occurred earlier. 5% may have been the magic figure for this flood, but you need a large chuck of spare capacity for it to be viable for any possible outcome. I mean part of why we got a lot less flooding in suburbs away from Brisbane river was because the rain occurred away from Brisbane itself so all water rises in creeks were only due to back flows with no additional water trying to flow down the creeks. Plus, shannanigans is a cool word.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Flood victims with belated RACQ payouts may be forced to repay Premier's Relief Appeal funds

and ...

=========================

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
04/08/2011

PREMIER PLEDGE ON APPEAL FUND RECIPIENTS

Premier Anna Bligh has pledged that people who have won a victory over their insurers will not have to repay any grants they received from the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

"These people have suffered enough and I will not be asking them to repay money they received from the Appeal," Ms Bligh said.

"The donors who gave so generously to the Appeal wanted the money to go to people who really needed it the most - and it has.

"It has gone to people whose homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged in the natural disasters that befell our State over summer.

"The Appeal was set up to help people rebuild their lives and that's what we want to see it do.

"This money is vital for so many Queenslanders.

"I won't be asking them to return it and I make no apology for that."

[somebody]

Wait, so if they had less water to start with they should have opened the gates at a lower or higher depth than 67.25m?

Lower.  Obviously.  67.25m is the height above sea level (AHD = Australian Height Datum).

[Golliwog]

Lower.  Obviously.  67.25m is the height above sea level (AHD = Australian Height Datum).

But why though? The whole point of a dam is to hold back water, and the 67.25m depth is chosen due to its proximity to the maximum capacity. Lowering the water level at which they start releasing means that you don't get the full benefit of that extra capacity.

[somebody]

Lower.  Obviously.  67.25m is the height above sea level (AHD = Australian Height Datum).

But why though? The whole point of a dam is to hold back water, and the 67.25m depth is chosen due to its proximity to the maximum capacity. Lowering the water level at which they start releasing means that you don't get the full benefit of that extra capacity.

Where's that head bang emoticon?  The 67m (+0.25m) is a trade off between water supply and flood mitigation capacity.  It is clear IMO that the wrong trade was chosen in Dec 2010, and the flood inquiry also agrees with this.  The flood inquiry goes further and says that the level should be dropped by 25%.

I feel like I am talking about 250 via Gabba here.

[Golliwog]

Which part of the report are you referring to here? I've found multiple references to the 67m FSL but nothing about their modelling.

[somebody]

Which part of the report are you referring to here? I've found multiple references to the 67m FSL but nothing about their modelling.

Had to revisit some stuff from a while ago to find out about the modelling, but I am referring to the work described in this link (as I recall): http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0005/4289/Seqwater_Malone_Terrence_Alwyn_2nd_11.04.11.PDF

Not sure if that is the question you are asking though.  I'm unclear.

I would also add that the 67m level was chosen before the auxiliary spillway was constructed, and that certainly reduces the flexibility for the dam managers to avoid flooding as you get catastrophic flooding around 76m now rather than 80m previously.  But 67m has always been the level chosen  .

[Golliwog]

Ok, thats what I was looking for. I guess they stuck with 67m because thats what the manual stipulates. And again, its all about how the rain falls. If they had started at 75% capacity, they wouldn't have known then that they would be twice recieving 1 in 100 year rainfall events. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. 67m is the full supply level, so for it to be the gate trigger level makes sense, if it was lowered to 75% for the wet season, I think the decision on whether to open the gates or not should be at the dam engineers discretion based on the data available to them, until it gets to 67m.

[somebody]

Ok, thats what I was looking for. I guess they stuck with 67m because thats what the manual stipulates. And again, its all about how the rain falls. If they had started at 75% capacity, they wouldn't have known then that they would be twice recieving 1 in 100 year rainfall events. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. 67m is the full supply level, so for it to be the gate trigger level makes sense, if it was lowered to 75% for the wet season, I think the decision on whether to open the gates or not should be at the dam engineers discretion based on the data available to them, until it gets to 67m.

A couple of points.

1) The dam manual forbids opening the gates until 67.25m is reached.  To adopt a temporary reduction in the dam level without a temporary (or permanent) revision to the dam manual would be ludacris.
2) The only requirement to open the gates in the manual is once the lake exceeds 74m they must continue to open the gates (at an undefined rate) until the level begins to fall.  Seems like a bit of an APD (A** protection device).
3) They didn't know what would happen but it was an odds on bet for a flood in the 2010/2011 summer at some point.  The only real question was "how big".  Perhaps it would be like the 1999 flood which was fully absorbed by Wivenhoe.  Could just have equally have exceeded the superlatives of 1893 or 1841.

Clem Jones was considered a hero by some for instructing the managers of Somerset to close the gates in 1974, however it seems that many Brisbanites didn't want such a thing to happen again before the 2011 flood.

And a problem with leaving so much decision making to be done on the spot is that it makes it impossible to model beforehand the likely flooding and then have appropriate town planning.

[Golliwog]

1) The dam manual forbids opening the gates until 67.25m is reached.  To adopt a temporary reduction in the dam level without a temporary (or permanent) revision to the dam manual would be ludacris.

I would go for as part of the planned revisions to be undertaken this year, and continueing into next year that a clause/whatever you want to call it be added to the effect that if a temporary reduction is undertaken, then the gates can be opened when the water goes above the new level if it is deemed necessary.

2) The only requirement to open the gates in the manual is once the lake exceeds 74m they must continue to open the gates (at an undefined rate) until the level begins to fall.  Seems like a bit of an APD (A** protection device).

More a dam protection device. I know what I would prefer out of either a very large flow that can eventually be controlled coming down the river, vs the entire dam coming down in one hit courtesy of the dam wall failing due to overtopping.

3) They didn't know what would happen but it was an odds on bet for a flood in the 2010/2011 summer at some point.  The only real question was "how big".  Perhaps it would be like the 1999 flood which was fully absorbed by Wivenhoe.  Could just have equally have exceeded the superlatives of 1893 or 1841.

I agree. And thats always going to be the problem with weather in general. They can say there will be rain, or a storm, but its how big and strong that they don't always know. I was driving on Settlement Rd when that freak storm hit The Gap a few years ago. It was an absolute freak of nature storm, and the warnings had jsut started out with the standard, theres a storm coming warnings.

And a problem with leaving so much decision making to be done on the spot is that it makes it impossible to model beforehand the likely flooding and then have appropriate town planning.

But that said, give them targets to work to. For a while they aimed to keep the flows below the 4000m3/s level they were given that would cause damage at Moggill. Things like that are more useful I feel, but also work with residents so they know what sort of flows are likely to inundate what area. But at the same time, we live on a flood plane. No matter what flood level you plan for, theres going to be a flood of some form that will beat whatever town planning we put in place. Better to try to avoid building in places that will obviously flood, and design anything likely to flood to be resiliant (eg: electrical services/plant/etc a number of storeys up)

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
23/08/2011

Premier: We will build Queensland back, stronger than ever

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has reaffirmed her Government's commitment to ensuring that the state is built back, stronger than ever before following January's devastating natural disasters.

Tabling the Government's Response to the Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report in State Parliament, Ms Bligh said she was determined to ensure all possible measures were in place before the next storm season.

"We have just experienced the state's worst natural disaster in living memory.

"It is essential that we do not forget the heartache and hardship that so many Queenslanders have endured - during the disasters as well as throughout the cleanup and recovery.

"We do this to honour those we have lost. We will never be able to control the weather, but we must be as prepared as possible for whatever comes our way,'' she said.

"The floods and cyclones caused $6.8 billion worth of damage to Queensland. This response confirms my pledge to implement each and every one of the 104 recommendations that are the State Government's responsibilities.''

Ms Bligh said the response detailed an additional $14 million of investment over this financial year and a total of $76 million over the next five years in improving disaster response and flood infrastructure management.

"This is on top of what agencies are already spending in reprioritising their existing Budgets towards improving our disaster management system.

"To help improve household disaster preparedness we will launch the state-wide "Get Ready Queensland'' campaign.

"This campaign will include sending more than two million Queensland households guides about steps we can all take to get ready for the upcoming storm season as well as an advertising campaign about the dangers of driving into flood waters and a storm and cyclone campaign using the theme 'Can you survive for three days?'

Additional resources and training to be provided to emergency services staff include:

    19 new flood boats by the end of 2011, five more by February next year, and a further 32 following that.

    A minimum of 18 new Disaster Training courses delivered approximately 400 times across Qld.

    A total of 2,000 additional participants in the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements Course by 1 November, in addition to the 900 particpants who have completed the course since May.

    An estimated 200 additional SES volunteers, available for activation by 1 November, following a highly successful SES recruitment campaign which has seen nearly 800 expressions of interest to date

    A total of 253 swift water rescue technicians (level 2) in place by end of November

    Personal floatation devices (including for children) and waterproof radios for all frontline personnel during disasters

    100 helmet kits for Qld Fire and Rescue Special Operations Unit by 1 November

Ms Bligh also confirmed that a review of the Dam Safety Manual for Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams was already well underway.

"We will also be making legislative changes to the Water Act to clarify the roles of the water regulator and to simplify the regulatory framework.''

"Before the start of the next wet season we will also ensure that each of our dams have updated emergency action plans that will include improved community notification processes regarding dam outflows.''

Ms Bligh also tabled the LGAQ response to the interim Commission of Inquiry report.

"The LGAQ has requested additional State Government funding to fulfil its recommendations, in addition to assistance our Government is already providing including additional disaster management support through EMQ.

"We acknowledge that disaster preparedness and response is the core business of local council and many, particularly the smaller councils with large flood or cyclone prone areas, may struggle to meet these demands.

"I have now directed the Deputy Premier to reserve up to $5 million out of the Local Government Grants and Subsidies program to allow vulnerable councils to apply for assistance on a co-contribution basis for purchase of equipment and items such as warning and alert systems and river monitoring gauges.''

Ms Bligh also confirmed that a dedicated Delivery Unit had been established within the Department of Premier and Cabinet to ensure that each Agency, GOC and Statuory Authority was doing everything possible to implement the Inquiry's recommendations before the next wet season.

[ozbob]

Energy and Water Utilities
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
01/09/2011

Bligh Government urges residents to prepare now for storm season

Minister for Energy Stephen Robertson, ENERGEX and local councils are urging South East Queenslanders that now is the time to prepare for this year's storm season.

"Every year severe weather events hit South East Queensland, leaving a trail of destruction," he said.

"After what South East Queenslanders went through last summer, it's hard to believe the 2011/2012 storm season is already upon us.

"But the reality is severe weather events can hit at any time, and now is the time to prepare."

At the official annual ENERGEX storm season launch today, Energy Minister Stephen Robertson re-affirmed the Queensland government's commitment to community safety, and assured residents that the electricity network was more resilient than ever.

"I think we've all learnt a great deal from the past summer of heartbreak," he said.

"The Bligh Government has worked hard to support Queenslanders through these tough times.

"From financial assi stance through to emotional and legal support, every measure has been put into place to help people recover from the events of last summer.

"The Bligh Government is also currently in the process of implementing the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry interim report which highlighted actions that we can all take to prepare for future disasters.

"The floods and cyclones caused $6.8 billion worth of damage to Queensland.

"In the Premier's response to the interim report she detailed an additional $14 million of investment over this financial year and a total of $76 million over the next five years in improving disaster response and flood infrastructure management.

Mr Robertson said it was great to see that the improvements to disaster resilience are also going beyond the recommendations.

"Today's unprecedented campaign launch is a great way to demonstrate the co-ordinated approach which is essential to proper community resilienc e," he said.

"This is the first time ENERGEX and all 11 South East Queensland Councils have teamed up for this campaign.

"Since last summer ENERGEX crews have worked hard to re-build parts of the electricity infrastructure that were washed away or damaged by the floods, and bolster the whole network to make it more reliable than ever before," Mr Robertson said.

"To achieve this, ENERGEX will invest $542 million in capital and $136 million in operating and network maintenance in the current 6-month period leading into summer - around $26 million each week, or more than $5 million each working day.

"A key component of that spend will be increasing substation capacity by around 232 MVA, which is equivalent to the combined electricity demand of the entire Brisbane CBD on an average summer day."

ENERGEX Chief Executive Officer Terry Effeney encouraged residents to prepare their home and family early for the coming storm season.

"The storm season is just around the corner, and now is the time to prepare," Mr Effeney said.

"I encourage all South East Queensland residents to do their part to keep their family, property and community as safe as possible this summer.

"By setting aside a few hours to secure loose objects in your yard, trim overhanging tree branches, preparing a storm kit, and talking to your family about what to do if severe weather hits, you have the best possible chance of staying safe this storm season.

"If storms do hit, wait until danger has passed before inspecting your home for outside damage. However, if powerlines have been damaged or brought down call ENERGEX on 13 19 62 and stay well away - they could still be live."

Mr Effeney said one of the best ways to prepare for the coming storm season was to join ENERGEX's 'Suburban Storm Troops' campaign - a South East Queensland wide competition that encourages residents to join with their neighbours for a street clean-up on 17 and 18 September.

"This year we're asking people to re-ignite the community spirit we saw after the January floods, to prepare their street for the coming storm season before it hits.

"Get a few neighbours or your whole street together and join the 'Suburban Storm Troops' campaign - participants will be in the running to win great prizes, and most importantly it's a simple way for people to help prepare their property, family, and neighbours for the storm season ahead."

Suburban Storm Troops participants can win a major prize, including live crosses from their clean-up day with Channel 9's Today Show and a community BBQ breakfast, 5 x trailers packed with gardening equipment worth $5,000 each, and 20 x storm kits worth $130 each.

Go to energex.com.au for more information or to register your participation in the Suburban Storm Troops clean-up campaign.

1 September 2011

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
12/09/2011

STATE CABINET TO BE BRIEFED ON WET SEASON WEATHER OUTLOOK

The Queensland Cabinet is to be briefed by the Bureau of Meteorology today on what to expect from the coming wet season.

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Anna Bligh said the Cabinet would also receive an update on the Government's implementation of the Commission of Inquiry's recommendations.

"Already Queensland is better prepared than ever before. We are ready for whatever Mother Nature will throw at us," said the Premier.

"No matter what we hear from the Bureau today we will continue to prepare for the worst while we hope for the best."

Ms Bligh said a massive effort was underway to get ready for the wet season with some actions including:

    Upgrade to SEQ water's Flood Operations Centre.
    Memorandum of Understanding to improve Cross-border coordination of transport information with New South Wales.
    Fifty-six new flood boats for the SES and flood boat operation training provided, with the first four boats to be delivered to Blackwater, Dysart, Logan East and Mackay by the end of this month.
    Three swift water equipment caches located at rescue stations in Robina, Helensvale and Ipswich with additional equipment available from Beenleigh Warehouse.
    Training in Queensland's disaster management arrangements to over 900 SES members and council and state government employees with a further 1,100 to be trained before the next wet season.
    Improved availability, accuracy and timeliness of road information provided to the public through Queensland Transport's 131940 road information service.
    Series of 14 Get Ready seminars designed to enhance community readiness for the cyclone starting next week.
    Development of a Get Ready Queensland Campaign to provide key messages to the community regarding preparedness for all potential disaster situations to start in late October.

"We will release a Readiness Update in early November showing exactly what has been achieved as we get ready for this year's wet season," said the Premier.

"But we are working right now on all 105 recommendations and we will not rest until each and every one of them has been implemented."

The Premier said that key actions by the Government included

    A review of the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine Dams Flood Mitigation Manuals;
    A clear line of command to lower the dams;
    Review of disaster management plans of 22 local governments that are susceptible to flooding;
    Training of Queensland Police Service call-takers by officers from the Brisbane Police Communications Centre (with training to be provided to approximately 310 staff before 1 December 2011);
    A single point of co-ordination for the Emergency Helicopter Network.

Ms Bligh said significant resources were already being deployed to support the preparations.

"Funding has already been allocated to boost the capacity of emergency services through the improvement of and purchase of new equipment," she said.

"As part of this package, $11.7 million will be provided for 24 new and replacement urban fire and rescue appliances, $4 million for 25 new and replacement rural fire appliances.

"We have also provided $4.2 million for an All Hazards Information System which will coordinate the collection and dissemination of disaster information.

"And we are investing in a $1.8 million disaster management warehouse in North Queensland to ensure rapid and reliable deployment of high volumes of essential supplies to local communities to assist in response and recovery."

[ozbob]

Forecast for Queensland's summer ahead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNv_EWFsBWQ&feature=youtu.be

[somebody]

In a few years' time the memory of the flood will have faded and complacency will return.

[Golliwog]

In a few years' time the memory of the flood will have faded and complacency will return.

More than likely, but only if people let it happen.

[O_128]

In a few years' time the memory of the flood will have faded and complacency will return.

More than likely, but only if people let it happen.

The people selected anna bligh last election.

[Golliwog]

It more than just the governments responsibility though. If people stop caring about where the 2011/1974 floods came to, then they have no one to blame but themselves.

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
17/09/2011

New floodplain mapping for QLD

The largest floodplain mapping initiative in the State's history - built on the latest technology and supported by both new and historic data - is underway, Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Anna Bligh announced today.

"This initiative brings together, for the first time, an option for councils which strengthens the connection between land use planning and flood plain management," said Ms Bligh.

"This is a new broader approach to floodplain mapping developed on a whole-of-catchment view rather than council by council."

"As we know our river systems do not stop at Local Government boundaries."

The draft 'Planning for stronger, more resilient floodplains' guideline has been developed in consultation with more than 10 councils, the LGAQ, Geosciences Australia, and the Fitzroy Basin Association. It is now open for 40 days consultation.

"This is about a greater level of information being available to all, especially councils.

"This toolkit will help councils ask questions early in the development process so that

issues can be identified and addressed sooner rather than later.

"It's about greater knowledge of our floodplains informing sensible planning and not a stop on development," said the Premier.

Banana Shire Mayor John Hooper thanked the government and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for the floodplain mapping work.

"We are a small shire and our resources only go so far. We are very thankful as this will certainly help us in our planning, especially around Theodore," he said.

Banana Shire has been a pilot for the mapping.

Planning for stronger, more resilient floodplains includes an interim mapping product and development controls that councils can consider for existing planning schemes.

The objectives of the toolkit are to:

·Promote better understanding of floodplains and how to manage them

·Promote greater correlation between floodplain management and land use planning

·Provide councils with a series of criteria that can be quickly adopted to help with the assessment of potential development sites

·Ensure more appropriate building designs in floodplain constructions

The Premier said that the toolkit includes a standard template for a development assessment code. The code includes basic provisions to support better outcomes from development applications.

"The maps do not show a defined flood event, but rather areas where, based on geological evidence, we know there has previously been inundation or there is a probable chance of inundation.

"These are the areas where the State and councils need to focus in their assessment of future developments and types of development.''

"Sensible planning on floodplains is not about stopping development. We are simply saying extra caution needs to be shown about the location of developments and the types of structures built in floodplain areas."

"This is a first step in creating a more standardised approach to floodplain management and mapping across Queensland

The QRA has partnered with State agencies and working in collaboration with the LGAQ to fast track the huge task of mapping Queensland's floodplains.

"There are 128 river catchments in Queensland. Sixty-seven of these catchments affect significant population centres and are being treated as a priority to be completed before the next wet season commences," she said.

"Thirty-nine of these river catchments have already been mapped. This represents more than 1200 maps at 1:50,000 scale covering some of Queensland's hardest hit regional towns - an area significantly larger than Victoria.

"The new floodplain maps have been added to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority's 'flood check' interactive map and can be viewed at www.qld.gov.au/floodcheck."

This work goes beyond the larger urban centres where detailed mapping has already been undertaken. By next month (October) 40 per cent of the State will have been mapped under the new program.

Combined with existing floodplain mapping, this will represent coverage for about 90 per cent of Queensland's population. By the middle of next year there will be floodplain maps for all relevant areas of the State.

The Authority will now consult with Councils, particularly those in priority river catchment areas, to seek feedback on and support those Councils wishing to adopt the measures before the wet season.

"What has become abundantly clear across the State is that the ability of some housing types, such as the traditional Queenslander, to withstand a flood is far superior to a slab-on-ground house construction, yet slab-on-ground is by far the more common new house type,'' she said.

"We got it right a hundred years ago with the design of the Queenslander - there's no reason we should be building unsuitable homes in flood prone areas in 2011 and beyond."

The Planning for stronger, more resilient floodplains guideline and maps will be open for comment and submission until 11 November 2011. Visit www.qldreconstruction.org.au

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Floating Riverwalk in flood inquiry's sights

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
27/09/2011

Premier Bligh: "Force insurance companies to pay up"

Premier Anna Bligh wants insurance companies forced to pay their clients' full claims if they are not dealt with in a reasonable time.

This proposal, which would require Federal legislation, is contained in the Queensland Government's submission to the federal parliamentary inquiry into the insurance response to natural disasters.

"We also want to see insurance companies forced to name and shame themselves in local and state newspapers when they repeatedly or seriously breach the Insurance Code of Practice," Ms Bligh said.

"I wonder how often these breaches would continue if insurance companies knew they'd have to pay to advertise their own bad behaviour.

"What's clear from the worst disasters in Queensland's history is that the response of insurance companies has not been good enough and the industry must do better.

"Too many people have had to wait too long," Ms Bligh said.

The Queensland Government's suggested 5-point plan is:

1. Strengthen the General Insurance Code of Practice

    The Code should specify a timeframe for decision making and if overall assessment times are not improved the Commonwealth should consider legislating for "automatic claim approvals" where reasonable assessment timeframes are not met.

2. Ombudsman to 'name and shame'

    The Code could allow the Financial Ombudsman Service FOS to compel an insurer to advertise in a prescribed format in mainstream media (for example local and state newspapers) where there are repeated or serious breaches of the Code.

3. Benchmarks and penalties

    Insurers' annual reports should be amended to require publication of Internal Dispute Resolution and Financial Ombudsman Service performance to make a company's record clear to the public.

4. Adoption of a clear, standard definition of flood

    The Commonwealth should amend the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 to ensure that a common, easy to understand definition of 'flood' is in place and where there is any doubt the onus of proof should be on the insurer to demonstrate that the given event was not as a result of a flood.

5. Encouragement for insurance companies to use local labour where possible

    Insurers should offer the consumer a choice of suppliers, including a choice for builders, goods and services that can be sourced locally.

[Fares_Fair]

While we are at it, how about the same standards applying to politicians for breach of promise ?
Name and Shame etc.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[HappyTrainGuy]

How about making sure people/households have and understand their insurance policies too.

[Fares_Fair]

How about making sure people/households have and understand their insurance policies too.

You don't think that breach of promise by pollies is equivalent or hypocritical in light of what they expect of insurance companies ?

It is clear that even the insurance comapanies themselves do not know their own policies or searched for every means to avoid payouts.
Understanding the policies for the consumer is also an issue.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[O_128]

How about making sure people/households have and understand their insurance policies too.

Good point, if people weren't idiots then they would have known.

If we are lucky this year it might flood and the top end of george street gets washed away.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane set for up to 22 stormy days: forecaster

[ozbob]

Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
30/09/2011

Queensland Government takes decision not to lower dams before wet season

The Queensland Government is working around the clock to ensure the state's south east is fully prepared for the impending wet season.

Natural Resources Minister Rachel Nolan said extensive work is being done in a number of areas to ensure dams are ready for whatever Mother Nature brings.

"The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring that all the lessons from last summer's disasters aren't forgotten," Ms Nolan said.

"That is why we called the Commission of Inquiry and why we're vigilant about adopting its recommendations.

"We have always said that we will prepare for the worst while we hope for the best and that is exactly what we're doing."

Minister Nolan said the Government had taken the decision not to temporarily lower the water levels of Wivenhoe Dam and North Pine Dam at this time.

"This decision has been made taking into account both the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report and advice from the Bureau of Meteorology, Seqwater, the Department of Environment and Resource Management, the Queensland Water Commission and the SEQ Water Grid Manager," she said.

"The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report recommended that we should temporarily reduce the level at Wivenhoe Dam if the Bureau of Meteorology makes a similar wet season forecast to that made for 2010-11.

"We also investigated the possibility of temporarily reducing the level of North Pine Dam.

"We have now been briefed by the Bureau of Meteorology on what to expect and have been advised that conditions won't be as severe.

"Based on this, we are acting in line with the recommendations of the Flood Commission's interim report and won't be lowering the level at either Wivenhoe or North Pine Dam at this time."

The Minister said the decision will be reassessed each time the Bureau of Meteorology updates their forecast as we approach the wet season.

The Dam Safety unit within the Department of Environment and Resource Management are also hard at work, having already spent more than 350 hours reviewing the manuals for Wivenhoe and North Pine Dams, since the Floods Commission of Inquiry interim report was released on 1 August 2011.

DERM's dam safety experts Peter Allen and Ron Guppy have more than 70 years experience in Dam and Water Engineering including 20 years of experience in flood operations.

The Commission of Inquiry had requested that the manuals were ready by October 1, however given the small number of experts in this field and the heavy workload they have been managing, both providing information for the inquiry and responding to its recommendations, it is now likely that the North Pine manual will be ready by October 14.

Wivenhoe is on track for an October 1 completion.

Ms Nolan acknowledged the hard work of DERM officers in this expert field and is confident that this work will be done diligently and well ahead of the wet season.

"Our dam safety unit have really been going above and beyond to ensure our manuals will be ready ahead of the wet season and I have every confidence in the work that they're doing," she said.

Work to clear debris from Wivenhoe Dam's spillway channel has also begun.

Earth moving machinery will be used to move the several thousand tonnes of boulders and rocks that built up downstream side of the plunge pool below the spillway into the outlet channel.

Ms Nolan said while the boulders and rocks have not caused any structural damage, they could interfere with the flow of water from the dam if a release is needed in the coming wet season.

"Initially, a 20 metre wide section of boulders and rock debris will be moved to open the channel and ensure the dam outlet and hydro-electric plant is fully operational.

"Works will be completed by the end of next month."

ENDS

[ozbob]

Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
03/10/2011

Wivenhoe manual review completed

Seqwater and the Dam Safety unit within the Department of Environment and Resource Management have completed the interim review and approval of the Wivenhoe flood mitigation manual, in line with the recommendations of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry interim report.

Approval of the manual has now been gazetted, as required by the legislation, and will be available online for public viewing on Wednesday this week.

Natural Resources Minister Rachel Nolan said the revised dam manual responds specifically to commission of inquiry recommendations 2.8 and 2.9.

"The manual has two critical differences from the manual that was used during this year's flood," Ms Nolan said.

"First, it clarifies the manual, making the language simpler and clarifying when certain phrases, such as the use of rainfall predictions, are to be used.

"Second, it sits alongside the recommendation that full supply level will sometimes be reduced, to allow for water releases to commence before the dams have reached 100%.

"This review is an interim review responding to the recommendations which have so far been made.

"A more detailed and comprehensive review, involving new hydrological studies, is now being undertaken but it will need to take account of the inquiry's final recommendations and will not be finalised for some time."

Ms Nolan said the gazettal of this review is the culmination of extensive work by the DERM Dam Safety unit who have been hard at work since commission of inquiry handed down their interim report in August.

"Our dam safety unit has really been going above and beyond to ensure our manuals will be ready ahead of the wet season and I have every confidence in the work that they're doing," Ms Nolan said.

"For security reasons some information within the manual cannot be made public so we will now work to prepare it for online publication."

"The Dam Safety unit are continuing to progress the North Pine dam manual and as we announced last week we expect to have this completed by October 14."

Minister Nolan acknowledged the hard work of DERM officers in this expert field and is confident that this work will be done diligently and well ahead of the wet season.

"The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring that all the lessons from last summer's disasters aren't forgotten.

"That is why we called the Commission of Inquiry and why we're vigilant about adopting its recommendations.

"We have always said that we will prepare for the worst while we hope for the best and that is exactly what we're doing."

ENDS