Flood mitigation in place

NOOSA Council is putting the finishing touches on a $1.5 million Pomona flood mitigation project.
The Rifle Street works aim to reduce the severity and frequency of flooding for numerous properties on Rifle and School streets.
Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington, who recently inspected the work, said the project improved the safety of residents and would provide greater peace of mind when severe weather struck.
“It’s terrific to finally see the end result of this project, the need for which came to light when I was first elected to represent Division 12 on the Sunshine Coast Council,” he said.
The height and drainage channel capacity has been increased and a new bund wall constructed to divert floodwaters to Cooroora Creek.
The Pomona Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Project was a joint initiative of Noosa Council, the Commonwealth Government and the Queensland Government under the 2014-2015 Natural Disaster Resilience Program.
Council consulted with the Pomona Flood Reference Group and used flood modelling technology to analyse the Pomona terrain and develop the Rifle Street fix.
“While we can’t control the weather, with the co-operation of all three levels of government we have been able to better protect those whose homes were most at risk,” Cr Wellington said.
“My sincere thanks go to the state and federal governments for their essential input, to the Pomona residents involved, and to Noosa Council’s expert staff who stitched up the deal and oversaw the works.”
Council is currently finishing landscaping at the site.
Council, the state and federal governments each provided a third of the cost of the $1.5 million project.
It’s the second of three major recent local flood mitigation projects. Work finished last year on a $1.3 million fix for Tewantin’s Daintree estate where flooding inundated more than 40 homes in 2012. This project was also a joint initiative of all three levels of government.
“Flood mitigation work near Cooroy’s Ashgrove Drive is being incorporated into the Bruce Highway upgrade at Noosa Council’s request, but gratefully at no expense to council,” Cr Wellington said.