Views sought on backflow devices

NEWS

City council will hold a series of public meetings to discuss whether backflow devices are needed to help prevent a repeat of January’s damaging floods.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the sessions were being run as part of an investigation into the feasibility of backflow devices in flood-affected areas of Brisbane being undertaken for council by engineering firm Max Winders & Associates. Cr Quirk said the main aim of the sessions was to give residents the opportunity to provide their views on whether backflow devices were needed in certain areas of Brisbane.
He said as that while the sessions were being held in specific flood-affected suburbs, any resident from any suburb in Brisbane could attend to provide their views.
“Backflow devices are a tricky subject because in certain circumstances they can actually make flooding worse, particularly if they are not maintained religiously," Cr Quirk said.
“That said, this administration is committed to mitigating the impacts of flooding on this city as best we can, which is why we're out there doing this study and asking residents where and how they think backflow devices might work in Brisbane.” Cr Quirk said the sessions were scheduled to be “drop in” sessions, meaning residents could turn up at any time within the three hour window to discuss their ideas.

The meetings are at: • Riverside Receptions 50 Oxlade Dr New Farm Saturday 3 September 1pm to 4pm Thursday 15 September 6pm to 9pm
• Mercure Hotel 85-87 North Quay Brisbane CBD Wednesday 7 September 4:30pm to 7:30pm Tuesday 13 September 4:30pm to 7:30pm
• Milton State School Bayswater Rd Milton Saturday 10 September 1pm to 4:pm Wednesday 14 September 6pm - 9pm