The State Government will fast-track a $14million flood mitigation program to help ensure that Carnarvon is better protected against future flooding.
The State Government will fast-track a $14million flood mitigation program to help ensure that Carnarvon is better protected against future flooding.
The State Government will fast-track a $14million flood mitigation program to help ensure that Carnarvon is better protected against future flooding.
Water Resources Minister John Kobelke said he would do all he could to bring forward the work in the wake of recent flooding at Carnarvon, caused by Tropical Cyclone Emma.
"Thankfully the flooding was relatively mild, but the devastation of March 2000, which floods caused $20million damage, is still very fresh in our minds," Mr Kobelke said.
The program is co-funded by the State Government, the Shire of Carnarvon and the Federal Government, through its Regional Flood Mitigation Program.
"While the town of Carnarvon is well protected from major flooding in the Gascoyne River by an extensive levee system, the surrounding plantation areas have little flood protection and are prone to severe flooding and damage," the Minister said.
"The planned flood protection works involve constructing levees and weirs and the upgrading of four sections of the North West Coastal Highway.
"A flood detention scheme will retain floodwaters in the Nicol Bay Flats area with floodwaters being directed southwards around Browns Range."
The Minister said Main Roads WA was charged with carrying out the work under the guidance of a local steering committee which included representatives from the Department of Water and the Shire of Carnarvon.
"Preliminary design and investigation are already in place, with environmental considerations being a key issue," he said.
"At this stage the work is planned in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of improvements on North West Coastal Highway south of Carnarvon, beginning in mid-2006.
"The remaining works will be built as part of the second phase and are scheduled to begin in mid-2007.
"I will now be asking whether both those programs can be completed any earlier to provide greater protection for Carnarvon, its businesses and its people."
Mr Kobelke said the Carnarvon flood mitigation work was based on the department's earlier study on the Lower Gascoyne River - Carnarvon Floodplain Management Study.