The solar-powered LED Automated Flooded Road Warning Systems project is expanding, with 12 new locations targeted for installation throughout the BCC financial year, including one in the Willawong/Larapinta area before the end of 2022.
First announced in mid-September 2022, Council will expand its LED Automated Flooded Road Warning Systems (AFRWS) program to include 12 new locations. With the new sign technology, Council hopes to reduce the risk of Brisbane motorists entering flood waters that put their lives and of others at risk.
Scheduled for installation by end of December 2022 are three locations in Moorooka Ward:
- Bowhill Rd, Willawong – one sign on Bowhill Rd opposite #480 Bowhill Rd and another sign on Bowhill Rd frontage of #21 Sherbrooke Rd
- Paradise Rd, Acacia Ridge – one sign on Paradise Rd frontage of #545 Paradise Rd and another one on Paradise Rd opposite #168 Learoyd Rd
- Lucy St, Moorooka (Moolabin Creek) – one sign near 210 Station Rd, Yeerongpilly and another sign near 2 Lucy St, Moorooka.
“The ‘if it’s flooded, forget it’ message is one that we are all aware of,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Unfortunately, some motorists continue trying to drive on flooded roads, and sadly this has resulted in deadly consequences.
“We are determined to help motorists heed the warning not to drive on flooded roads by installing these signs at key locations.”
The new flood warning signs will provide motorists with a visible reminder when a road gets flooded with an alarm gauge that sets off once a creek or waterway reaches a certain level.
Once activated, the flood warning sign will display an LED-backed “Road Closed Due to Flooding” message that will be visible even at night. Where possible, the installation through its remote camera technology will also allow Council to monitor the waterway during a flood event and deploy a coordinated response as needed.
Unlike in 2011, Cr Schrinner said that the February flood set record-breaking rainfall causing a combination of river, creek and overland flow flooding right across Brisbane. This extreme weather event made it unsafe and impossible for Council officers to get to some flooded areas to erect temporary road-closed signs. With the new automated signs, however, Council will be able to close and actively monitor these flooded roads safely and in real time.
The project will be partly funded by a $99,000 Federal Government with Council spending an additional $500,000 for the 12 additional signs.
The complete list of 12 additional Automated Flooded Road Warning Systems (AFRWS) at known flooded roadway locations are as follows:
- Bowhill Road, Durack (Hanleys Creek)
- Bracken Ridge Road, Bracken Ridge (Bald Hills Creek)
- Formosa Road, Belmont (Between Stanbrough and Dairy Swamp Roads)
- Grandview Road, Pullenvale (Pullen Pullen Creek)
- Kholo Bridge, Kholo (Brisbane River)
- Gap Creek Road, Kenmore Hills (extra signs at Gap Creek)
- Lancing Street, Pullenvale (Pullen Pullen Creek)
- Paradise Road, Willawong / Larapinta (Oxley Creek)
- Rafting Ground Road, Brookfield (Moggill Creek)
- Sherwood Road, Rocklea (Oxley Creek)
- Victoria Street, Newmarket (Enoggera Creek)
- Wynnum Road, Tingalpa (Bulimba Creek).
Meanwhile, the Australian Government has already granted funding to install three additional AFRWS at Gap Creek Road, Kenmore Hills; Bowman Parade, Bardon; and Lucy St / Station Road, Moorooka, to be installed within the 2022/23 financial year.
Likewise, these 10 existing systems may use mains powered AFRWS and have flashing lanterns that warn motorists about flooded road conditions:
- Bilsen Road, Zillmere (Zillman Waterholes)
- Boscombe Road, Brookfield (Moggill Creek)
- Groth Road, Zillmere (Zillman Waterholes)
- Marshall Road, Rocklea (Stable Swamp Creek)
- Melton Road / Widdop Street, Nundah / Clayfield (Kedron Brook)
- Muriel Avenue, Rocklea (Rocky Waterholes)
- Newman Road roundabout, Zillmere (Zillman Waterholes)
- Rafting Ground Road, Brookfield (Moggill Creek)
- Shaw Road, Wavell Heights (Kedron Brook)
- Trouts Road, McDowall (Downfall Creek).