The 2008 and 2010-2011 flood events that impacted Emerald will undoubtedly be recorded as two of the worst natural disasters the town has experienced. There was also significant flood damage at Sapphire in 2008 and Bluff, Springsure, Capella and Rolleston in the latter event.

As acting Mayor in the first instance and as councillor in 2010-2011 I am acutely aware of the devastation to rural and urban landholders during these terrible floods.

I was honoured to accept the roles of Chair of Recovery after both events and had incredible support from the Council and hard-working volunteers who were motivated each day for almost 11 months in the Recovery Centre to help and support affected rate payers to get their lives back on track. At the completion of the recovery period in December 2011, our group presented Council with a report that was compiled by C and R Consulting that dealt with the nature of the flood event and recommendations about future mitigation. See report here. This report was latter modified after (LIDAR) data was available to further prove the recommendations.

It is important that our community understand that the C and R consulting report does not make any recommendations in relation to construction of levees.

At about the same time the C and R report was being prepared, another report requested by Councils planning department to assist future floodplain management was being scoped by engineering firm KBR. This report was presented to council on 10 June 2014. See report here.

The KBR study which began in early 2012 and took two years to complete, refers in 2.7.3 of the report under Fairbairn Dam Flood Mitigation to the consideration given to other alternatives upstream of Fairbairn and in relation to the spillway.

It also refers in the recommendations to many of the levee options with the words ‘if feasible’.

Since the presentation of the KBR report there has been additional reports from other consulting engineers and a process of consultation and stakeholder meetings, which have clearly not provided any comfort or certainty to landholders, either directly affected by the banks or these rural landholders affected by upstream afflux or downstream discharge.

This elongated process has now reached a point where some landholders have engaged legal representation in an attempt to negotiate with the very council that is supposed to be serving its rate payers.

We learned this week from a media interview with an affected landholder, of the mental anguish that his family and neighbours are suffering at the continuing process of uncertainty. We also learnt from Council, finally, that the cost of the proposed levees would be in the vicinity of $140 million, without the additional costs that will be incurred for floodlifting pumps to deal with flash flooding in a heavy rainfall event outside the levees.

The levee process has been a major disappointment to many and has now reached the intolerable situation where affected landholders have no confidence in the proponents. The process requires a considered solution that shows a decisive understanding of community protection.

I will take ownership of this process and promise to bring to the community a clear plan of action that respects the safety required of life and property with the pragmatism that we can afford, and;

As Mayor of the Central Highlands Council I will recommend to my councillors the following:

1. That the current levee process be stopped.
2. That the practical and feasible components of the submitted reports be retained and completed including the original recommendations of the C and R report.
3. That any further mitigation be expanded to include other alternatives including modification of the Fairbairn Dam spillway and the Central Railway line embankments and Vince Lester Bridge.
4. That council investigate an underwriting opportunity for those property owners identified in higher risk areas to secure appropriate insurance.