ISSUE 4 ~ NOVEMBER 2013

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As we rapidly approach the anniversary of the January floods, it is an ideal time to stop and take stock of what has been achieved in the intervening period.

Many community groups and government agencies have partnered with Bundaberg Regional Council in addressing the host of issues that arose out of the flood event.

Some of the programs remain current while important programs such as finding permanent accommodation for displaced persons have been finalised.

Much work has been undertaken to assess the overall impact of the fl ood event in dollar terms both from the perspective of local business operators and also the fi nancial impact on Council.

It is important for aff ected business operators, primary producers and not for profi t organisations to avail themselves of the fi nancial grant opportunities currently on off er. Enquiries regarding grants through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority can be made by contacting 1800 623 946.

Many people will, quite understandably, be waiting with a nervous anticipation as to the weather events that may unfold in coming months. Council has been extremely proactive in pursuing its fl ood mitigation strategies which include early warning systems for fl ood prone properties and comprehensive mapping of the fl ood plain area.

It is pleasing to note that many of the benefi cial practices that have arisen out of the fl ood disaster will now serve as models for other communities that may face the challenges in the future that the Bundaberg Region faced in January this year.

The month of December will be a key one for the Bundaberg Region with the top five flood mitigation strategies to be made available to the State Government. The compilation of these strategies refl ects the intense and highly professional work undertaken by Council staff and, importantly, the Community Reference Group and Technical Reference Group.

I’m delighted that as a community we have had a common purpose and worked in a united manner to achieve the best possible outcomes for the region.

Helping to ensure the region’s businesses are operating at full capacity following January’s natural disasters is no small task, but Bundaberg Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) has accepted the challenge.

BEC manager Peter Peterson said it had been a busy 10 months for the centre.

“We have exceeded our program targets by far as a direct result of the fl oods,” Mr Peterson said.

“Every business was aff ected by the fl oods, both directly and indirectly.

“The natural disasters bought a lot of people out that said ‘I need a hand’.”

He said the establishment of the Business Recovery Centre shortly after the natural disaster was well received by the business community.

“They could come along, have a coff ee and a chat and check their emails and make phone calls to suppliers and customers.

“More importantly it let them know that we were here for them in the long term.”

He said he had been able to help businesses access funding and he would encourage anyone who may be eligible to contact the centre regarding the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority’s (QRAA) natural disaster assistance, which closes on November 29.

Disaster Assistance(Exceptional Disaster Assistance - Category D)Primary producers and businesses who have suff ered extreme fl ood damage areas may be eligible for a loan/grant package of up to $650,000 under the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Scheme. Contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or qraa.qld.gov.auCLOSING: 29 NOVEMBER 2013

Disaster Assistance($25,000 Clean Up and Recovery Grant - Category C)Clean-up and recovery grants of up to $25,000 are available for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profi t organisations. This grant helps pay for costs arising from direct disaster damage including clean up, purchasing equipment or materials, repairs to premises and equipment, replacing lost or damaged stock, additional wage expenses, or leasing temporary premises.Contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or qraa.qld.gov.auCLOSING: 29 NOVEMBER 2013

Natural Disaster Assistance($250,000 Concessional Interest Rate Loans - Category B)Concessional Interest Rate Loans up to $250,000 assist with recovery from direct disaster damage, including to re-establish operations, repairing or replacement of

BEC DRIVING FLOOD RECOVERY

BECDRIVING FLOOD RECOVERRY

Economic Economic

“I’ve helped hundreds of businesses out with that and I will continue to help businesses apply until November 29,” Mr Peterson said.

On October 30, BEC held a Flood Recovery Breakfast where businesses were provided with information on the State Government’s Get Ready program thanks to Bundaberg Regional Council’s Disaster Management Offi cer Matt Dyer, as well as details on how to subscribe to the Early Warning Network system.

Moving forward, Mr Peterson wanted businesses to recognise that storm season was approaching and they should be getting plans in place to ensure they could deal with any situations which may arise.

“We are encouraging businesses to think about their business continuity plans. Every business should have one in place. If you don’t have one, get in touch,” Mr Peterson said.

Anyone wanting to subscribe to the Early Warning Network can head to ewn.com.au.

The BEC can be contacted at bundabergbec.org.au, by calling 4153 2333 or by heading to their office on the corner

of Quay and Tantitha Streets.

buildings, plant and equipment, purchasing livestock lost in the disaster and meeting carry-on requirements. Diff erent eligibility criteria apply. Contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or qraa.qld.gov.auCLOSING: 30 JUNE 2015

Postponing BAS Lodgements & Payments – Australian Tax Offi ce (ATO)If you are unable to lodge your return or BAS because you are dealing with the immediate eff ects of a disaster, the ATO can give more time to lodge without incurring penalties and more time to pay without interest charges. They may also be able to arrange an expected refund to be issued as a priority. Contact the ATO on 1800 806 218 or ato.gov.au.

DAFF Freight SubsidiesFreight subsidies of up to $5,000 per disaster event are available for eligible primary producers located within a disaster-declared area under joint Commonwealth/State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), or where a primary producer has a current Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration.Contact the DAFF Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 or daff .qld.gov.au.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES, PRIMARY PRODUCERS, COMMERCIAL FISHERS AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

InfrastructureInfrastructure

UPDATE ON CRG PROGRESSThe Burnett River Floodplain Community Reference Group (CRG) was formed in September 2013 to assist the Bundaberg Regional Council and their consulting engineers. Primarily, the CRG is made up of volunteers who have the expertise, passion and standing to best represent the communities, not only of Bundaberg, but throughout the Region. Members are from western communities like Goodnight Scrub and Wallaville, closer rural communities including Pine Creek and Sharon, representatives from affected suburbs of Bundaberg and acknowledged leaders in business, agriculture and the fishing industry.

The members attended all 10 community forums in September, speaking with many attendees, and collecting the concerns, ideas and initiatives that came from those meetings. All information gathered was collated so that the CRG had a reasonably clear direction from the community as to measures which may help to protect the at risk communities and locations in the event of another flood event in the Burnett River. The CRG is primarily representing the communities downstream of the Paradise Dam to the mouth of the river. What came through very strongly at the forums was the positiveness of the vast majority of participants, and a willingness to share ideas, concerns and other discussions with the group members attending.

The CRG has held 3 meetings to date and discussed issues as wide ranging as mitigation measures, evacuation routes and early warning systems. One of the major tasks of the group is to recommend 5 priority mitigation projects which have come from the community forums and other interfaces. Part of that also included considering and agreeing on a weighting system for the projects to be compared within a multi criteria assessment performed by GHD, the engineers the Council have engaged for the floodplain project.

There has been much interesting and robust discussion at each meeting – a sure sign of passion and keen interest in the benefit to the community. The members offer an array of perspectives based on their experience and wisdom some of which differ, but all are offered with genuine concern and a will to maximise long term benefit to the wellbeing of the Bundaberg Region’s communities.

Where to from here? We will meet shortly to consider and agree on the 5 projects as requested by the Council and GHD. The Group also wishes to put forward further recommendations in relation to matters such as disaster preparedness, and environmental issues as part of the final report. This independent report will be prepared in the latter part of November to be presented in early December to meet the timelines. All documentation including meeting minutes, terms of reference and reports are available on the Bundaberg Regional Council website for public viewing. I strongly recommend you take the time to familiarise yourself with the progress of the CRG and its deliberations.

ROWAN BONDCHAIR - BURNETT RIVER FLOODPLAIN ACTION PLANCommunity Reference Group

Approximately $7 million of the 2013 Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funds have so far been spent on fixing and improving the resilience of roads as recovery roadworks continue throughout the region.

Currently on schedule, Council’s contractor Goldings is nearing completion of works on Bucca Road, with Birthamba and Raines Roads underway.

Unsealed roadwork being undertaken by Goldings’ sub-contractor is also reported to be progressing swiftly.

Council recently signed a contract with CMC for the 2013 NDRRA works. This following on from the completion of the contractors’ 2011 NDRRA works.

UPDATE ON NDRRAROADS CONSTRUCTION

COUNCIL WINS MAJOR ENGINEERING AWARDS

Bundaberg Regional Council has been recognised for its engineering work, taking out two top awards at the Queensland Conference of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEAQ) held in Cairns last month.

Council was named the Overall Winner of the Engineering Excellence Award for the Development of Building Resilience Scour Guidelines and Council’s Manager of Design Dwayne Honor won the Young Engineer of the Year award.

Mayor Cr Mal Forman said both awards were testament to the hard work and dedication of Council’s Planning and Infrastructure Department.

“I congratulate the General Manager of Planning and Infrastructure, Andrew Fulton and his hard working team on the award for the guidline on Improving Dwelling Resilience to Flood Induced Scour which was recognised for its innovation and excellence of content,” Cr Forman said.

“This guideline document helps those building homes in the flood area to ensure that resilience to scour is incorporated in their foundation design.

“It was developed to address the scour issues that occurred in North Bundaberg during the flood.”

He said Council’s Manager of Design Dwayne Honor, who won IPWEAQ’s Young Engineer of the Year, had been instrumental in the flood modelling projects undertaken by Council and in particular the Burnett River flood modelling, on which Dwayne presented a paper to the conference in Cairns.

“Following his presentation at the conference, Dwayne was also recognised for providing the best paper at the conference.

“This is a fantastic and well deserved win for Dwayne and for the Region. I congratulate him on this award which is recognition of his hard work.”

The Improving Dwelling Resilience to Flood Induced Scoure document is available on Council’s website: bundaberg.qld.gov.au/development/regulator y-b u i l d i n g - p l a n n i n g -flood-response

REGIONS ROADS TO BE MORE FLOOD RESILIENT FOLLOWING FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

Council has received approximately $100million of roads and drainage restoration funding and has also been successful in obtaining betterment funds to make roads more resilient to flooding.

Infrastructure identified to be upgraded total $7.5 million and include works on:

· · Bucca Road ($3.2 million)· · Wallaville-Goondoon Road ($1.36 million)· · Heales Road ($550,000)· · Marshall Avenue ($435,000)

on make

million

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The Afloat project is a major initiative of Creative Regions Ltd, a not-for-profit arts production company in Bundaberg.

They have been funded to work across communities in the Wide Bay area as part of the Creative Recovery – Building Resilience initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Previously funded through the state’s Flexible Funding Program in partnership with the Bundaberg Regional Council, Creative Regions facilitated a series of ephemeral public art and digital storytelling workshops.

Now a new phase of the project launches with the Weaving Project.

Sunshine Coast artist Kris Martin will be in the Bundaberg Region to facilitate sculptural weaving

PLANS AND KITS HELP GROUPS PREPAREFOR STORM SEASONAlmost 30 local sporting groups affected by January’s floods have been given a leg up with Bundaberg Regional Council providing them with disaster plans and emergency kits to ensure they’re better prepared in the event of future natural disasters.

The Council initiative, funded by the State Government, was focused on enhancing the disaster resilience for the region’s much-loved community groups.

Following January’s natural disasters Council identified 28 flood-affected sporting organisations who, through the program, have now been provided with a disaster readiness kit, which includes their disaster plans, a radio, torch, vests and information material, in preparation for the disaster season.

Council Sport, Recreation and Venues portfolio spokesperson Cr Lynne Forgan, Bundaberg Basketball’s Kerry Savidge, Bundaberg Junior Tennis’ Kevin Banner, Norths Cricket Club’s Ricky Rochford, Council’s Sport and Recreation coordinator Dave Field and Norths Cricket Club’s Craig Marriott.

AFLOATWORKSHOPS ON OFFER

workshops with the community using cats claw – an invasive weed that thrives after floods.

JOIN IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS:-

• • Saturday, November 16, 1pm to 3pm See Street Bargara at Artist Mary Argall’s studio

• • Monday, November 18, 11.30am – 1.30pm Lowmead State School

• • Tuesday, November 19, 9am to 11am Bundaberg Railway Museum, North Bundaberg

• • Tuesday, November 19, 1pm to 3pm Bundaberg Art Society, Walker Street Craft Centre

• • Wednesday, November 20, 11am to 1pm Gin Gin Courthouse Gallery

Bookings are essential and can be made by emailing afloat@creativeregions.com.au

REBUILDING LIVES IN BUNDABERG

AND THE NORTH BURNETT

LOCAL CHURCH GROUPFEEDS COMMUNITY SPIRIT

LOCFE

Flood affected residents have been treated to dinner with a side of storm season preparedness thanks to the Bundaberg Bible Chapel’s monthly Flood Recovery Dinners.

Bundaberg Bible Chapel Pastoral Care Coordinator

Brian Thomsen said there was a need for communities to help

each other move out of the trauma of January’s natural disaster and

prepare mentally and emotionally for the event of future natural disasters.

“The Flood Recovery Dinners have had fantastic response within the flood affected community with between 60 and 80 people attending each event held since June this year,” Mr Thomsen said.

“The dinners offer fun and entertainment for the whole family while providing community engagement through

discussions, information and training to help families move out of trauma.”

He said Council’s ‘Get Ready’ information was discussed during the dinners to ensure affected residents were prepared ahead of the upcoming storm season.

“Our initial focus centred on recognising stress and acknowledging the trauma that occurred but has turned to preparing families for future disasters as a result of the increasing anxiety shown amongst the flood affected community.”

The Flood Recovery Dinners are held bi-monthly between Bundaberg North State Primary School and Bundaberg East State Primary School.

Mr Thomsen said the school’s principals, staff and P&C associations had provided invaluable support to the dinners.

The Bundaberg and North Burnett Community Rebuild Group has been firing on all cylinders during the flood recovery effort, already seeing 28 homes returned to a habitable standard.

Queensland Police Service Sergeant Meg Owens said the project was “swinging along” but there was much more work to be done before their job would be complete.

“Our attention is now very much focussed on the North Burnett where we have assisted a number of residents who were still unable to return home,” Sgt Owens said.

“However new homes are continually being identified and assessed right across the region to ensure we are able to assist as many residents as possible.”

Volunteer tradespeople and donated materials are needed as the work continues to restore homes.

If anyone is able to assist please contact The Salvation Army Tom Quinn Community Centre on 4153 3557.

Sgt Owens said she would encourage residents to ‘like’ the Bundaberg and North Burnett Community Rebuild Group on Facebook to help get the message out to as many residents as possible.

Head to HYPERLINK https://www.facebook.co m / B u n d a b e r g a n d N o r t h B u r n e t t Co mm u n i t y R e b u i l d G r o u p” f a c e b o o k . c o m /BundabergandNorthBurnettCommunityRebuildGroup to share the community spirit and help rebuild lives.

Administration Centre: 186 - 190 BOURBONG STREET, BUNDABERG

Service Centres at: BARGARA, CHILDERS AND GIN GIN

Council Offi ce Hours: 8.15am to 4.45pm MONDAY TO FRIDAY

TELEPHONE 1300 883 699

EMAIL communications@bundaberg.qld.gov.au

www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au

BMRG FLOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM IN A SNAPSHOT Almost 10 months on from the arrival of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) are still busy assisting in the flood recovery efforts. The group is rolling out a two year $8 million On Farm Productivity and Riparian Flood Recovery Program due to finish in June 2015.

Jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian government, this program is helping primary producers to restore productivity and address major damage to waterways and floodplains following the natural disasters.

Extensive property visits have been undertaken and the flood recovery team has consulted widely with councils, industry and community groups and more importantly, landholders, to assist farmers in addressing on-farm impacts. In addition to this more than $600,000 has been committed directly to more than 70 growers in priority areas that received substantial damage from floods. These funds are assisting with repairs to irrigation pumps and pump sites, replacing stock fencing, repairing stock dams damaged in the floods, soil testing and actions to improve soils health in inundated paddocks, laser levelling paddocks, farm roads repairs (particularly for horticultural growers), and removal of sand and gravel deposited in cultivation.

Streambank stabilisation works are being conducted on flood damaged riparian sites, selected with the aid of aerial imagery commissioned by BMRG, have been assessed based upon their ability to be stabilised in ways that make them more resilient to future flood impacts. The main remediation efforts are occurring in the Bundaberg and North Burnett Regional Council areas and will involve revegetation, light earthworks and fencing to exclude stock and will kick off when the rainy season starts so as to provide plantings with the best chance of survival.

BMRG is also coordinating a unique, multi-partner effort utilising the training services of the Australian Agricultural College Corporation, NEATO Job Service Provider’s network and Department of Employment funding to help restore farms back to pre-flood condition whilst creating training and employment opportunities for local job seekers.

Three high priority areas have been identified for floodplain management activities. Landholders in the Three Moon Creek Floodplain in the North Burnett, Byee Floodplain in the South Burnett and the Lower Burnett and Lower Kolan will have access to expert advice and information about floodplain management action planning on subcatchment scale and property planning layout to reduce the impacts of floods

Reducing the impact of invasive weeds spread by floodwaters is another component of the program and one which will become more relevant moving into the coming wet season. Funds will be available to implement physical, chemical and biological weed control activities on a list of priority invasive weeds. Multiple delivery partners are involved, including North Burnett Landcare Group, Burnett Catchment Care Association, North Burnett and Bundaberg Regional Councils.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.bmrg.org.au or call (07) 4181 2999.

WORKS START ON WATERHOLE RESTORATION

IN GARDENSWhile much of the Botanical Gardens has been restored to its pre-flood beauty, Council is still investigating the restoration of the waterhole and embankment adjacent to Fairymead House.

After recently receiving Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding approvals to undertake the restoration works, Council engaged Coffey Geotechnics Pty Ltd to investigate and identify restoration options.

Initial indications are that the damage is associated with the flow of high velocity, turbulent water through the channel when it became

part of the Burnett River flood plain. The turbulent water scoured the embankment and waterhole bed.

As the waterhole became deeper the bank stability decreased and even following the flood, some further minor embankment slips into the waterhole have occurred.

The completion of this significant project will restore the area adjacent to Fairymead House and re-establish the water component of the Chinese Gardens.

Design works are expected to be completed by February with actual restoration targeted for completion by mid 2014.

CARETAKER’S RESIDENCESET FOR RESTORATION

A home steeped in local history will be restored to its former glory after Bundaberg Regional Council received Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding to restore the caretaker’s residence at Baldwin Swamp.

The house, estimated to be at least 100 years old, was moved to the swamp in the early 1980s by a Mr Alan Bailey and later purchased by Council for use by caretakers.

It is believed the house was originally located behind the hospital and used as a quarantine house, explaining the presence of a sink in every room.

More recently, the house was occupied by a Council parks and gardens staff member who acted as an afterhours caretaker.

Though it survived the century the house is now in desperate need of repair after it was inundated with 1.5m of flood waters in January this year.

Council has secured NDRRA funding to restore the house to its original condition which will include restumping, resheeting and the installation of a new kitchen, wardrobes and floor coverings.

So far, Council staff have undertaken asbestos removal on the premises.

Council is also investigating the possibility of raising the house by 1.8m to mitigate against future flood events and will tender for the raising in coming weeks to identify the cost involved.

Depending on the results of that tender, Council may seek betterment funding to raise the house.