The Queensland Government has announced the formation of a new Independent Advisory Council tasked with providing advice on flood mitigation manuals used by engineers during flood events at the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams.

State Water Supply Minister, Mark McArdle, said that the establishment of the new Ministerial Advisory Council for Flood Mitigation was a key recommendation of the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry’s final report.

“This Advisory Council has a critical role as the manuals guide operational decisions about water release rates during a flood event – when a dam exceeds its full supply level and it is necessary to open its gates to release excess water,” Mr McArdle said.

“Importantly, this Advisory Council, which will meet for the first time today, consists of qualified, independent individuals with no involvement in the development of the revised flood mitigation manuals.”

Mr McArdle said Seqwater would prepare and submit revised flood mitigation manuals for Wivenhoe and Somerset dams and North Pine Dam, for approval, before the next wet season.

“As responsible Minister, I need to consider how competing objectives are balanced, including minimising downstream disruption for small flood events and protecting urban areas during large flood events,” Mr McArdle said.