Bundaberg East Levee
The Bundaberg East Levee is a major investment in the flood resilience of Bundaberg and the economic prosperity of the region.
The concept design for the Bundaberg East Levee consists of approximately 1.7km of levee near the Burnett River’s southern bank with flood gates, flood doors and pump stations.
The levee is intended to:
- Increase protection from a Burnett River flood within Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South, and the city centre
- create a resilient community that can recover faster from major flood events
- provide benefits for many people throughout the Bundaberg community.
The project will also create local jobs and business opportunities during construction.
The Bundaberg East Levee Project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and is supported by the Bundaberg Regional Council.
Read more about the location and design of the levee.
About levees
A levee is an artificial, raised embankment or structure built to:
- protect parts of the floodplain from flooding, including properties, homes and businesses.
Levees can significantly reduce damage and allow communities to return to normal activity sooner after a flood event.
Levees are built to protect property, not people. Emergency planning and evacuation are still essential to protect communities.
Flood protection
The January 2013, flood caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald was the highest Bundaberg flood on record.
The levee will better protect Bundaberg East, Bundaberg South, and the city centre during a Burnett River flood event equal to the 2013 flood.
These images show flood water inundation in January 2013, and how the levee would reduce flooding during a similar event.
Modelling indicates that the levee location will have little impact on Burnett River flood levels, including in Bundaberg North.
What happens next?
Engineering consultants SMEC with CDM Smith were appointed in March 2024. They will conduct a comprehensive review of the design work done to date and make updates where necessary to progress the levee’s final alignment and design.
Community feedback
We held community information sessions about the levee in Bundaberg during April 2024. You will have more opportunities to have your say throughout the design and construction stages.
The next opportunity will be during the planning process.
Find out more
To stay informed about this project and future community consultations, email BundabergEastLevee@epw.qld.gov.au with ‘Subscribe’ in the subject line.