Flood victims vent anger to Queensland inquiry
ANGRY flood-affected Queenslanders have slammed authorities and unregulated levee banks in their written submissions to the state's flood inquiry.
The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry has released the first batch of public submissions.
The inquiry has published 21 public submissions on its website on Monday night.
Dr Felicity Heale from Fig Tree Pocket lost her home in the flood.
Dr Heale wrote in her submission to the inquiry her family felt let down by water authorities.
"We were falsely, as it turns out, reassured that the presence of the (Wivenhoe) Dam should prevent another severe flood," she said.
"I believe that the horrible events we and others lived through in the days following January 11 could largely have been avoided if Wivenhoe's primary role as a flood mitigation dam had been adhered to."
Chelmer flood victim, Angela O'Malia also expressed her concerns over the operation of Wivenhoe Dam.
In her submission Ms O'Malia said it was worrying a state cabinet portfolio reshuffle had now given the governance of Brisbane's Wivenhoe Dam to three different ministers.
"Stephen Robertson, setting dam levels, retail distribution, drought proofing, Rachel Nolan, setting dam levels, retail distribution, drought proofing, Kate Jones, flood mitigation and water release," she said.
"I would like to express my concern over this portfolio split and to emphasise the dangers of decision making across three ministers in the event of another flood.
"Consensus would be difficult and prolonged as ministers have competing agendas.
"The result could have catastrophic consequences on flood-prone Brisbane residents."
Meanwhile Kylie Kilroy from St George, in southern Queensland, had flood water inundate her home and blamed unregulated levee banks.
"The levee banks are diverting water during peak flood conditions," she wrote.
"There has never been modelling or testing done for this.
"The Balonne Shire hasn't had regulations on levee banks on flood plains for 20 years."
Grant Newson echoed those calls for a tightening of levee bank regulations at St George.
"An investigation into why these levee banks were allowed to be constructed and who is ultimately responsible for the damage and property loss that they caused due to 'Man Made' flooding is warranted," he wrote.
Public hearings will begin in Brisbane on April 11.
The commission is due to report back its initial findings and recommendations in August, ahead of the 2011-12 wet season.
Submissions can be viewed at www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au
www.couriermail.com.au
