Brunswick Valley Flood History...

FACTS relating to Flooding
The following facts describe ongoing poor decision making that has resulted in an increase of flood levels in the Brunswick Valley.

AIM : To identify relevant facts relating to the June 2005 flood crisis experienced in the Brunswick Valley.

OBJECTIVES : to assist interested persons to understand the true history of flood mismanagement within the Marshall's Creek and Brunswick River systems.

FACT NO 1.
Major natural outlet at Wooyung.
Reference Material
1. Wooyung 1887 survey map showing ocean outlet
2. Wooyung cane drainage map showing ocean outlet
3. Wooyung 1962 photo showing ocean outlet and roadway
4. Wooyung 1978 photo showing outlet closed to cater for road
5. Wooyung map documenting a tidal limit for ocean outlet

FACT NO 2.
Major natural outlet at Helen Street.
Reference Material
1. Helen Street 1954 aerial photo showing natural outlets
2. Helen Street 1958 construction photo show bulldozed area
3. Photo of 'NEW' Helen Street blowout 1978
4. Photo of NB & GB 1997
5. DVD of Helen St in the flood - June 30, 2005

FACT No 3.
Outlets closed mechanically.
Reference Material
see closed outlets -

1. Natural outlet north of Golden Beach 1944
2. Natural outlet north of Golden Beach 1947
3. Rainfall Charts 1944 - 1947
4. Bulldozer 1976 closing outlet north of Fern Beach
5. 1979 B/W Wooyung outlet closed
6. Ministerial warnings to Council 1982
7. New Brighton , Golden Beach NOS 1980's closed outlets
8. see timeline on home page

FACT NO 4.
Major outlet at Readings Bay Brunswick Heads blocked by Public Works Department.
Reference Material
1. aerial photo of Readings Bay with rock walls
2. DVD Charlie ODonnell
3. newspaper story 1974 about flood level at New Brighton
4. Professor Warner report on Readings Bay
5. PWD report on the Brunswick Heads Breakwall

FACT NO 5.
Byron Shire Council constructed levee bank 1m higher than recommended despite warning from engineer that this would increase flood levels outside levee.
Reference Material
1. construction of levee banks South Golden Beach
2. Consulting engineers report 1988

FACT NO 6.
Byron Shire Council engineer admits outlets, dredging and removal of Readings Bay rock walls "significantly" lowers flood levels.
Reference Material
1. Councils letter 1991 outlining significant difference

FACT NO 7.
Byron Shire Council endorses flood plain management plan knowing conclusions are false.
Reference Material
1. Marshall Creek Flood Plain Committee Amended Plan

FACT NO 8.
Byron Shire Council allows canal to be blocked by bund instead of bridge as required.
Reference Material
1. Council's letter re construction of bridge at NOS by Developers

FACT NO 9.
Cost to date exceeds $1.25m for flood mitigation with flood levels knowingly increased on existing residential properties.
Reference Material
1. Don Page MP letter seeking public inquiry 2001
2. Newspaper article September 2001 re call for spending inquiry

More facts to come...