Over $2 million for flood mitigation in Bungendore after 2022 disasters

After disastrous floods damaged Bungendore in 2022, the Federal Government has decided to invest more than $2.2 million to fund flood mitigation in the town.

On Tuesday (22 October), the government announced $2,250,000 will be provided to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) to build an overflow channel on Turallo Creek in Bungendore.

This channel will allow floodwaters to bypass the Tarago Road Bridge crossing during floods, and direct floodwaters away from properties in the town centre.

“This project will significantly reduce the flood risk for Bungendore, ensuring better protection for residents, businesses, and infrastructure,” Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said.

“Eden-Monaro has endured more than its fair share of natural disasters and I’m proud to be delivering this funding to make Bungendore safer.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said three levels of government had worked together on the project.

“[QPRC] Mayor Kenrick Winchester and council’s general manager have been talking to myself and Kristy McBain for some time on ensuring this project can be delivered,” he said.

The Queanbeyan-Palerang mayor welcomed the funding for the overflow channel.

“This has been part of council’s plan for mitigating flooding in Bungendore for a number of years and it is great to be able to make it happen,” Cr Winchester said.

“This is one of three measures that is part of council’s plans after we completed the first in 2021, which involved clearing and reshaping at the point where Turallo and Halfway Creeks join to reduce flooding impacts throughout Bungendore.

“The third measure involves upgrading the existing Turallo Terrace levee.”

Cr Winchester said the floods in Bungendore in August 2022 were another reminder of the impact that flooding had on the town.

It was crucial to do everything possible to protect people and their property, he said.

“We asked the community about the specific impacts to them after the 2022 floods to help us update our flood modelling, and we received lots of photographs and videos of the event and rainfall totals from personal gauges,” he said.

“Several roads were cut off, including Molonglo Street/Tarago Road, Bungendore Road, and Turallo Terrace.

“Parts of Gibraltar Street and Ellendon Street were also inundated by floodwaters.”

The Liberals’ candidate for the Eden-Monaro, Joanne van der Plaat, said while the funding for flood mitigation was welcome, “it is long overdue”.

“The community is right to be cautious that this is not just another Labor promise made before an election without plans for effective delivery,” she said.