Procurement begins for $174.7m Bundaberg East Levee project

Procurement has commenced for an engineering consultant that will help finalise the design for the $174.7 million Bundaberg East Levee project in Queensland. 

In addition, project commencement approvals are also in place for the multi-million-dollar development that will better protect parts of Bundaberg from severe flooding events. 

“It’s very pleasing that this major project is moving ahead with a clear objective to protect homes and businesses in areas of the city that are vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding. 

“We know disruptions caused by natural hazards can have devastating economic effects and takes a toll on people’s lives and wellbeing, which is why we are making a real difference through this project. 

“I commend the Queensland Government’s progress on this levee, and while there is still a long way to go, we look forward to collaborating even further to increase Bundy’s flood resilience,” Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said. 

In June of this year, the Australian and Queensland Governments reached an agreement to build a 1.7-kilometre concrete levee parallel to the southern bank of the Burnett River to help mitigate damage when flooding occurs within Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South as well as the CBD without increasing flooding in other areas of Bundaberg. 

The levee will not only help safeguard homes, businesses and the local economy from the damage brought by major flooding but will also support over 100 jobs and local business opportunities during its construction. 

“Where we can stop flooding, we should stop flooding and that is exactly why this project is so important to Bundaberg. 

“I have already spoken with a range of locals wishing to share their community contributions, and this will form a key part of the consultation and procurement phase. 

“The levee is a major project that will serve not only residents, but sporting clubs, school communities, charity organisations, and local business as well,” Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said. 

Bundaberg East Levee map (source: Queensland Government)

The project’s reference design was originally developed with community consultation in 2018 and will now be further refined in the coming months by an engineering consultant, in conjunction with the Bundaberg community and project stakeholders. 

The reference design highlights concrete levees in two main sections along with floodgates, flood doors and pump stations across Saltwater Creek and an unnamed creek that is locally known as ‘Distillery Creek’. 

The Bundaberg East Levee was found to be the most beneficial of four options identified under the 10-year Bundaberg Action Plan as it is able to help reduce the risk of flood devastation such as the record flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013 and the significant rainfall and flooding that occurred early last year. 

“Construction of the Bundaberg East Levee is one of the four projects listed under the Bundaberg Action Plan and it is gratifying to see progress being made. 

“It was extremely important to my council that any levee of other works not have a negative impact on other parts of the city. 

“I’m pleased to see that scientific analysis and modelling so far has shown that the proposed levee can do its job while not making things worse in other areas of the city. 

“I’m confident that as further analysis and refinement of the design takes place that we will end up with the best possible result all round,” Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Jack Dempsey said. 

The local Bundaberg community is invited to visit the project website and subscribe to the Bundaberg East Levee email list to receive updates as well as invitations to community events that will be held in early to mid-2024. 

“This project is vital in ensuring Bundaberg is as safe from flooding as possible. 

“It’s important that the people of Bundaberg have a voice in the project delivery process, which is why we invite community members to visit the project website and register for updates and invitations to 2024 community events. 

“We expect construction to begin by early 2025 and the final design will determine how long construction takes,” Minister for Public Works Mick de Brenni said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Energy and Public Works; Roads & Infrastructure Australia