Council adds to community disaster preparedness systems

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has recently installed new flood monitoring equipment at three locations across the region – to further enhance the existing suite of invaluable disaster information infrastructure.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said the new flood monitoring equipment is now publicly available, providing information from three new locations.

The new equipment includes:

• Sandy Creek – Fords Road, Grantham – Rain / River gauge

A new rain/river gauge on Sandy Creek at Fords Road, Grantham will provide rainfall and river heights data at Fords Road. Located upstream of Grantham, it provides additional time and information for Grantham residents, the Local Disaster Coordination Centre and the wider community.

• Summerholm- Rain Gauge

A rain gauge has been installed at Summerholm, capturing rainfall data to assist in better understanding of local catchment conditions.

• Tenthill flood monitoring camera – Logans Bridge

The Tenthill flood monitoring camera will assist the Local Disaster Coordination Centre and community to understand flood operations at, and downstream from Tenthill.

“The primary purpose of this camera is to inform disaster intelligence and planning operations,” Mayor Milligan said.

“Following the 2021/22 floods, we’re committed to providing residents with an extra layer of information so they can assess their local risks and undertake disaster preparedness measures.

“The two new gauges provide data direct to the Bureau of Meteorology, with the data then made publicly available on their website and through Council’s Disaster Dashboard.

“In addition, the new flood monitoring camera at Tenthill can also be viewed on the Disaster Dashboard and Council website.

“The Lockyer Valley is certainly no stranger to natural disasters, and Council is committed to providing residents with the information they need to stay safe regardless of the natural hazards in the coming spring/summer season.

“Together with Council’s Disaster Dashboard, this new infrastructure allows residents to access near real-time data, meaning they can make informed decisions.

“Council plans to install further flood warning infrastructure including cameras and signage to continue to improve community safety.

“It’s so important to have as much information as possible and to plan for a wide range of possible hazards including bushfire, floods, heatwave and storms.

“Access to meaningful information means we can all be safer,” she said.

For more information, contact Council on 1300 005 872 or visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au