Brisbane and other coastal regions have had a tough start to the summer. Storms, hail and flooding at the end of November caused damage in excess of $1 billion, according to news reports.
The often wild weather on the east coast of Queensland will require the development of better infrastructure if it is to provide for citizens in the Sunshine State, the government has said.
In fact, the state is planning to decrease the chance of flooding by building two new dams and upgrading another, which will help to mitigate the risk of flooding – and benefit jobseekers in the region.
Apprenticeships in Queensland will be one great source of employment as the civil construction projects look to restrict the damage to local communities from flooding.
Both Brisbane and Ipswich will receive a new dam development each, should approval go ahead. The Wivenhoe Dam will also be upgraded, with the government planning to increase its capacity to hold rainwater.
Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said the projects will be a significant step forward in protecting businesses in the state capital and the surrounding region.
“South-east Queensland will experience major flood events in the future and while we can never flood-proof Brisbane or Ipswich, [we are] doing everything possible to better protect lives, homes and businesses,” Mr McArdle explained in the December 16 statement.
Out of nine possible solutions, the government decided that a three-pronged infrastructure development will be enough to reduce the threat of flooding. This includes:
- Raising the dam wall and increasing the flood mitigation at Lake Wivenhoe.
- Building a new dam facility on the Brisbane River upstream of Linville.
- Construction of another dam facility on the Lower Warrill Creek near Willowbank.
Many businesses will still be concerned in the summer months, particularly after the 2011 floods that left many devastated. These developments, part of the state’s WaterQ plan, will aim to allay some of these worries.
The 30-year strategy aims to meet the developing challenges of the water industry, including reducing such threats and meeting the challenges of skills shortages.
With such a long-term plan in place, a greater number of opportunities will be available for those trying to find an apprenticeship in Queensland. Both construction jobs and those in the water sector will be the first to benefit, though the advantages to all businesses from a reduced likelihood of damage will not pass unnoticed.
By Leanne de Toerkenczy, Public Relations Coordinator.
