Early warning flood project receives Federal funding

Published on 09 June 2023

Residents in low-lying areas of Launceston will benefit from a new early detection system for riverine flooding, which this week received funding from the Federal Government's Disaster Ready Fund.

The City of Launceston and Launceston Flood Authority will also contribute to the Flood Intelligence and Early Warning Detection System project, which will see the development of a new flood detection system comprising new smart river level gauges, upgrades to existing gauges, installation of new monitoring cameras, educational flood markers, and a publicly accessible online interface.

City of Launceston Acting Mayor Matthew Garwood said the Flood Intelligence and Early Warning Detection System project was aimed at educating Launceston residents on flood risk, and providing enhanced early warning and flood monitoring technology to benefit the community and emergency services.

"Established at the junction of three rivers, Launceston is a city that has experienced many floods in its history," Cr Garwood said.

"The most significant flood event in Launceston took place in 1929 when more than 2000 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed in low-lying parts of the city.

"Today, more than 12km of earth and concrete levees protect low-lying parts of Launceston, including 19 flood gates.

"More than 5000 Launceston residents live in homes protected by levees and more than 400 businesses also operate in levee protected areas of the city.

"The city's flood levee defence system also includes a network of river height sensors which provide emergency services and City of Launceston staff with real-time data on flooding in our major river catchments.

"However, these sensors represent ageing technology, and the data they provide is not accessible by the public.

"This new project, which has been supported by the Federal Government's Disaster Ready Fund, will see the roll-out of new smart sensor technology in the North Esk River catchment, which will help us better understand, monitor and respond to flood risks in Launceston."

Cr Garwood said he was pleased the project had been successful in its funding application to the Federal Government's Disaster Ready Fund.

"The City of Launceston routinely undertakes flood modelling, flood mapping and flood risk studies to better understand flood behaviour and to guide the city's floodplain management measures," Cr Garwood said.

"This project will add to that knowledge base, providing us with a greater understanding of how flood events unfold.

"Importantly, there's a fantastic community education aspect to the work which is aimed at improving the community's knowledge of flood risk in Launceston."