Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn has withdrawn her support for the proposed Bundaberg East Flood Levee.
“I’ve long been a sceptic of the flood levee idea, and since becoming Mayor, I’ve been familiarising myself with the facts and taking onboard community feedback about the project,” Mayor Blackburn says.
“With a new state government, now is the opportune time to be transparent with the community and share my views on the levee.
“I don’t believe a flood levee is in the best interest of our community. It would be costly to build, and expensive to maintain for ratepayers, is unwanted by many in the community (evidenced by a petition of 5,000 residents calling for a review), and threatens to raise flood waters on the north side of the river, putting more people at risk.”
Bundaberg Flood Protection Group (BFPG) members Sid McKeown and Tony Mills have welcomed Mayor Helen Blackburn’s opposition to the Bundaberg East Levee with Mr McKeown saying “of course we want to see action to protect Bundaberg from major flooding.
“The levee is just the wrong way to go about it. The project would create more problems than solutions.”
Mr Mills adds he has noticed a groundswell of community opposition to the controversial project.
“I’ve heard from residents living on both sides of the river about their serious concerns of the levee. It’s clear public support for it is waning and BFPG really welcomes Helen’s decision to make her personal views known.”
Mayor Blackburn argues the flood levee would prioritise the safety of property, rather than people.
“I strongly support a North Bundaberg evacuation route as a priority project, which will prevent thousands of residents in our region from being isolated,” she says.
“Instead, it will allow them access to supplies and emergency services. People must come before property.”
Bundaberg Regional Council has previously stated it did not want ratepayers to be responsible for the ongoing maintenance costs of the project.
Mayor Blackburn says her withdrawal is her personal view and not the view of Council.
