Council commences Stanthorpe and Leyburn flood studies

Water marks and information wanted for Stanthorpe and Leyburn

Residents living on floodplains in Stanthorpe and Leyburn will receive a flood information survey in the mail over the coming week.

Mayor Ron Bellingham said that Council has commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to undertake the Stanthorpe and Leyburn Flood Studies.

“These studies will focus on the risk of flooding in Canal Creek and its tributaries in and around the town of Leyburn, as well as flooding of Quart Pot Creek and its tributaries in and around the town of Stanthorpe, and rural areas along the floodplain,” Cr Bellingham said.

“The project aims to develop computer flood models of these creek’s, quantify and map flood risks within the study area, reduce community vulnerability to flooding, and raise community awareness of flooding risks.”

SKM are looking for information on previous floods in the these main and tributary creeks and residents are being invited to share flooding information such as records of recent floods, as well as recorded flood levels and property marks with the study team.

Cr Bellingham urged residents with historical flooding information, to fill out the Residents’ Survey and return it to Council by 31 January, 2011 or to contact the survey team.

Initially, SKM will collate data on flooding in the area (topographical survey, bridge data etc). This will also include collecting information from the community on previous flooding within the study area. SKM will then use the collated information to build a flood model to represent flooding behaviour in the study area. Based on the flood model, maps of areas at risk of flooding will be produced and presented to the community. SKM will then work with Council and the community to develop options to reduce community vulnerability to flooding within the area.

For more information, contact Engineering Services on 4661 0300 or visit www.southerndowns.qld.gov.au and follow the link to the Flood Study. Residents are also welcome to complete the survey online.

Click here to download the surveys.

ENDS
Media contact: Flood photos available on request by emailing Janine.crawford@southerndowns.qld.gov.au