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| A photo posted on the Twitter account of Channel 9 reporter Simon Ward shows the newly opened section of Brisbane Riverwalk at Hamilton. |
Queensland’s acting planning minister says a residential development precinct under construction on the Brisbane River waterfront is not flood-proof even though it was spared the devastation of floods in early 2011.
Tim Nicholls, who is also acting deputy premier, was speaking during the opening of a new 500-metre section of Riverwalk at Hamilton.
Asked if the adjacent residential precinct in his Clayfield electorate was in a flood-prone area, Mr Nicholls said planning authorities had taken flooding into consideration.
‘‘During the floods in 2010 and 2011, I came down and inspected this part of the river and fortunately, the floodwaters didn’t rise up over the banks here,’’ he told reporters at the site on Sunday.
‘‘That’s not to say that it’s flood-proof, it’s just to say that in that flood ... it didn’t flood here.
Obviously those things are taken into account by the planning authorities and by the builders.
Another 15,000 residents are expected to move into the area during the next decade as the former port land is redeveloped, Mr Nicholls said.
Mr Nicholls said the new section of Riverwalk would add to the Northshore Riverside Park in front of the eastern Hamilton Reach development.
“This half-kilometre stretch of new Riverwalk is part of the delivery of a 2.5 kilometre stretch of river frontage that will progressively open to the public as Northshore is redeveloped,” Mr Nicholls said.
He said the state government delivered $1.75 million for the extension and public artwork, which would now be handed to Brisbane City Council to manage.
“This project is a demonstration of how different levels of government can work together to deliver benefits for communities and stimulate economic development through private enterprise,” he said.
“Importantly, the river walk has been delivered at no cost to Queensland taxpayers, as the new infrastructure has been funded through the Northshore project budget.”
A community fun day was held to mark the opening, with activities such as sand-sculpting and beach volleyball, as well as a jazz swing band.
www.BrisbaneTimes.com.au
20.1.13
COMMENT: Where is Queensland Flood's deputy commissioner's Phillip Cummins outrage over this issue? He was recently quoted on Channel 7 News as saying that poor planning over the years had contributed to "thousands" of flood affected properties in the Ipswich suburb of Goodna. If this report is correct, it's a pity Phillip Cummins cannot seem to get his facts right. Firstly, "thousands" of homes at Goodna have NEVER been affected by a Brisbane River Flood. Secondly, in 1976 the Ipswich City Council adopted the then-standard 1 in 20 development flood level, later revised to 1 in 100 and again increased in June 2011 to prevent residential development below the 1974 flood level. Phillip Cummins has been quite loquacious on the issue especially after being miffed over his sidelining during a critical part of the Floods Inquiry in 2011-2012. But when it comes to the State Government's floodable Riverwalk development in the heart of the conservative chardonnay set of Lower Hamilton - not far from the even more upmarket Hamilton Heights - there hasn't been a peep out of Phillip Cummins. Come on Phillip - have you lost your voice or your tenacity? Oh, by the way, there is a standing invitation for you to come to Goodna one day to count up the "thousands" of properties you claim are flood affected. Or did Channel 7 quote your wrongly?
Remember this from The Courier-Mail of 4 February 2012:
Flood inquiry deputy Phil Cummins sidelined amid conflict allegations
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| UNITED: Queensland Floods Inquiry Commissioner Justice Catherine Holmes (centre) with deputy commissioners Jim O'Sullivan (left) and Phillip Cummins (right). |
THE Queensland flood commission chief has sidelined one of her deputies over a conflict of interest.
Flood commissioner Justice Cate Holmes told deputy commissioner Phillip Cummins that he would no longer be allowed to take further part in the hearings, and his advice would not be sought by the commission in matters involving Seqwater.
It was revealed by The Courier-Mail today that Mr Cummins is involved in a consultancy that has been hired by Seqwater to help revise the Wivenhoe Dam's operations manual.
Flood commissioner Justice Cate Holmes told deputy commissioner Phillip Cummins that he would no longer be allowed to take further part in the hearings, and his advice would not be sought by the commission in matters involving Seqwater.
It was revealed by The Courier-Mail today that Mr Cummins is involved in a consultancy that has been hired by Seqwater to help revise the Wivenhoe Dam's operations manual.
