What is the Lockyer Creek Flood Risk Management Study?

The Lockyer Creek Flood Risk Management Study is a study commissioned by the Council aimed at reducing the risk of flooding in the Lockyer Valley area. The study is being carried out by consultants SKM.

The study will assess the flooding behaviour of Lockyer Creek and major tributaries. The study will map flood levels, depths and velocities in the area so that flood risk can be proactively managed in the future (see Figure 1).

The project team will work alongside a Study Advisory Group (SAG) to assist in linking the outcomes of the study to community needs and expectations.

Figure 1: Study phases

Why is the study taking place?

Lockyer Creek experienced a significant flood event on 10^th and 11^th January, 2011. That tragic event has highlighted the need to manage the flood risks more effectively.

This study aims to identify the flood risks associated with that event and future flood events. This understanding of flood risks will assist in developing a strategic approach to flood management in the area for the near future and long term.

Where does the study target?

The study area for the project is identified in Figure 2 and is primarily focussed on the floodprone parts of the shire. However, the study will by necessity include assessments of the whole Lockyer Creek catchment (down to the LVRC boundary).

The extent of the study area includes the creek and floodplain areas of Lockyer Creek from just upstream of Murphys Creek to the shire boundary in the east. It also includes the lower parts of the creeks and floodplains of tributary creeks including

• Rocky Creek
• Ma Ma Creek
• Tenthill Creek
• Gatton Creek
• Flagstone Creek
• Six Mile Creek
• Sandy Creek (through Grantham).

The study area also includes the current Forest Hill Flood Study area and the area of the previous Laidley Creek Floodplain Management Study.

Figure 2: Study area

What are the goals of the study?

The primary objectives of the project are to:

• Reduce the risks of flood damage (to both life and property) in the Lockyer Valley community.
• Increase community preparedness for flood events
• Decrease the impacts of significant flood events on the community
• Improve the community’s ability to recover after a flood event.

Some of the early outputs of this study will include flood depth, level and velocity maps (see Figure 3). Once this flood behaviour is defined, a number of flood risk management measures will be considered. This will assist Council to manage future development on the floodplain based on sound flood risk management principles.

Figure 3: Flood depth modelling

What is excluded from this study?

• The study is not assessing local town drainage issues (e.g. pipe drainage, blocked pits, overgrown open drains).
• The study will provide recommendations to decrease flood risk, but it will not include implementation of those actions. This will be the role of Council in the future and will be partly dependant on funding availability.
• The study is forward-oriented, focused on how the risk can be reduced in the future; it is not an inquiry into the management of flooding in January 2011.

What is the timeline for the study?

The Lockyer Creek Flood Risk Management Study commenced in April 2011. Data collection and flood modelling has been completed and the team are currently looking at flood mitigation measures suggested in community open sessions. The timing of events is as follows:

Completed tasks

1)       Start-up Study Advisory Group Meeting – Early September 2011

2)       Model Development and Calibration Presentation to Study Advisory Group – Early November 2011

3)      Calibration Presentation to Community Meetings – Late November to end of December 2011

4)       Design Flood Event Simulations – December 2011

5)       Identified Flood Risk Management Measures – February 2012

Ongoing tasks

6)       Assessment of Measures and Recommended Flood Risk Management Plan – March/April 2012

7)       Mitigation Measures presentation to Study Advisory Group – May 2012

8)      Community Meetings on Assessment of Mitigation Measures – May 2012

9)      Draft Flood Risk Management Report – June 2012

How can you get involved?

The Lockyer Creek Flood Risk Management Study team is seeking to liaise with the community throughout the study to ensure the most accurate and relevant information is utilised.

The study will make use of the flood data currently being collected by Council throughout the floodplain via interviews and questionnaires. If you have not been contacted by the Council in April or May and have flood data that would be useful for this study, please complete this questionnaire (return details in questionnaire).

Part of the consultation process will be via a Study Advisory Group (SAG), which will include local government and community services as well as representatives from the community.

The aim of the SAG is to provide a reference group for the study team for provision of information on the study as well as to ensure appropriate representation of the communities.

If you would like information on the study’s progress, please contact the Lockyer Valley Regional Council on 1300 005 872 or email mailbox@lvrc.qld.gov.au.