Federal Member Scott Buchholz has called on all levels of government to implement the Flood Inquirys recommendations before the next wet season.
The report handed down yesterday by the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry contains 175 recommendations to mitigate the impact of further flood events.
Although the report contained disturbing evidence of a lack of capacity to deal with extreme weather events from all levels of government Mr Buchholz said he wasnt interested in finger pointing.
The key thing is to take the recommendations from this report and put them in place ASAP, he said.
We saw the consequences of complacency earlier this year. I wouldnt wish that experience on my worst enemy.
We are only a few months out from the next wet season, and although we are praying we dont have a repeat of the kind of weather we got last summer, we need to make sure were ready for it.
Mr Buchholz said he supported Lockyer Valley Councils call for financial support from the State and Federal governments to help Council implement the reports recommendations.
Key among those recommendations are:
· the need for alarm activating gauges in the creeks at Spring Bluff and Murphys Creek,
· identifying those areas vulnerable to flooding and identifying appropriate evacuation points
· removing debris from waterways to prevent it becoming a hazard during flooding.
Mr Buchholz also said that while he welcomed the initial recommendations, he felt the Commission of Inquiry could have gone further in some areas.
Specifically, I would like to see the next report make some stronger recommendations around the need for better telecommunications services in the region to allow for the use of SMS alerts.
Just because were regional shouldnt mean were precluded from using modern day technology. Particularly when that technology can save lives.
Mr Buchholz said he would continue to work with local residents still doing it tough as a result of the floods.
For people in the major population centres its easy to think that life is back to normal. But out here that simply isnt the case. My message to Queenslanders is please dont forget about us..
ENDS
