Fraser Coast Regional Council, Queensland, has added a new camera to its early flood warning network.
The camera is one of three recently added to Council’s network which were jointly funded by state and local government under the Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund.
The cameras cost between $25,000 and $30,000 each to buy and install.
Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour, said the cameras have three purposes.
The camera network provides residents with instant access to information on flood waters in the Mary River via Council’s Disaster Dashboard.
“From the dashboard they can select one of a number of cameras in the early warning flood network to see firsthand the height of flood waters and know if bridges and roads are open or closed.”
The cameras also provide information used to develop flood prediction models and they provide a backup in case electronic measuring equipment fails.
The Queensland Government provided $38,790 towards the project.
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the new camera would help safeguard the community during storm season.
“Having this permanent visual in place will allow residents and council to identify flood risks early.
“We’re the most disaster-affected state in Australia, so it’s important we’re making investments like this to protect Queenslanders and their properties.”
Council has eight cameras in its flood warning network, along with 21 automatic weather monitoring and flood warning stations.
“Our Disaster Management Plans cover a range of events from natural disasters such as fire, floods and cyclones to assisting other agencies, such as Queensland Health, as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the mayor said.
“While all agencies and organisations have been grappling with COVID-19, Councils disaster management team still continues to prepare the region for a range of other events.
“Fires, floods, storms and cyclones will still happen regardless of covid-19.”
