Alder River levee passes independent safety inspection

The Alder River levee has passed its independent safety inspection, giving residents of the river suburbs fresh confidence ahead of the wet season. Engineers found no structural defects along the embankment and recommended a short program of routine maintenance, which the council has already scheduled.

Why the levee was inspected

The levee was rebuilt after the great flood and is reviewed by an independent engineer every five years. The review checks that the embankment, floodgates and drainage still protect the 2,300 homes and businesses that sit behind it.

What engineers found

The embankment is stable, the floodgates closed correctly under test and seepage readings are within safe limits. Small areas of erosion at the base of the northern section and two ageing drainage valves were recorded as maintenance items rather than safety risks.

A levee is only as strong as the care it receives between floods.

When the maintenance will happen

Repairs begin in early spring and are expected to take around four weeks. Crews will work on weekday daytimes, and the riverside path will stay open with short detours wherever machinery is in use.

What this means for you

Your flood risk has not changed. Check your street on the council flood map, sign up for free flood alerts and keep your emergency contacts handy. If you have questions, call 311 or send us a message, and we will post updates here and in the Townora Monthly newsletter.