David Batt (Hinkler, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I rise this afternoon, so too is the mighty Burnett River which runs through Bundaberg. Homes and businesses have begun to be inundated and more are under threat as the Burnett is expected to peak at a major flood level overnight tonight, at a level similar to, but hopefully lower than, that we experienced in December 2010. Approximately 280 homes and 120 businesses are expected to be inundated at some level

As council's former disaster management officer, I encourage people to keep up to date with trusted local advice. Look out for your neighbours, and stay connected with the council disaster dashboards. I've just met with the federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain MP. I thank her for meeting with me at such short notice today. The minister has assured me that she is well aware of the flooding currently impacting Bundaberg and will be monitoring it closely. I've been granted leave from parliament, and I will be heading back to the electorate first thing tomorrow morning to be on the ground for the recovery efforts.

This afternoon both traffic bridges, which connect the north of Bundaberg to the CBD, have been closed. As my community always does, it is pitching in—mates helping mates to get people and their belongings to higher ground. My office and I have been keeping in contact with businesses that will be impacted and have offered our support. I've also been in briefings with local and district disaster management members.

An evacuation centre has been established at the Bundaberg Recreation Precinct as a last resort for affected residents. However, I would urge all residents who may be affected in north, east, south and central Bundaberg, and in Avoca and Branyan, to act now and enact your disaster plan. Find family or friends in safer places and move while you can. The people of Hinkler are tough, and together we will get through this flood like we have in the past. I say thank you to those who are standing up and supporting friends and strangers in need. Times like these bring out the best in our people. To my community, please stay safe and stay informed by following the Council's Disaster Dashboard.

At a time when we are witnessing a general decline of regional media, it gives me great pleasure to inform the House that a new hard-copy newspaper has gone to print and 20,000 copies of the Hervey Bay Sun have been distributed to my community. Locally owned media with a sharp local focus is crucial at a time when so much regional content is being swallowed up and overshadowed by state and national network news. Editor Craig Winter tells me that their small family business has made huge investments in local media, and his staff have worked incredibly hard to get this first edition off the press. When local media is thriving, politicians like us can be held to account, and the issues we are standing up for can be covered. Hervey Bay, like all regional communities, deserves to be kept informed and represented. I congratulate the Hervey Bay Sun on their first edition.