Proposed Levee Management to Boost Flood Resilience (Australia)

Queensland’s flood resilience will be strengthened by proposed new rules regarding the management of levee banks.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps today released a Regulatory Impact Statement about a new regulatory framework for community consultation.

“In response to the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Final Report, the Newman Government committed to implementing a state-wide regulatory framework for levees and to work with councils to determine the most effective way to regulate levee construction,” Mr Cripps said.

“Consistent with the Commission’s recommendation, the new regulation will only apply to the construction of new levees and the modification of existing levees; it will not be retrospectively applied to existing levees.

“The Queensland Government now wants to hear what landholders and local councils think about the management of levee bank construction and modification.”

Mr Cripps said the consultation would involve gathering ideas about the levels of assessment that should apply to different types of levees.

“The consultation RIS proposes that the construction of smaller, low impact levees should be self-assessable under a code to be developed by the State Government, rather than requiring any formal approvals,” he said.

“Other types of levees may need to be assessed based on potential impacts which could enable neighbours and local landholders to make submissions or lodge appeals on proposed levees.

“We are also seeking feedback on whether State Government or local council should assume the role of assessment manager for the construction and modification of levees.

“Clarifying the regulation of levees will ensure the design and construction of levees adequately assesses their impact on neighbouring properties, communities and affected catchments as a whole.”

Public consultation on the levee Regulation Impact Statement will run until Friday 6 September.

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Press Release, July 26, 2013