Rainbow's $1.5 million drainage

Craig Warhurst | 26th November 2009

GYMPIE Regional Council is completing a $1.5 million upgrade of the storm water system at Rainbow Beach.

Job supervisor Peter Bailey (right) shows Gympie Region councillors Larry Friske, Tony Perrett and Mayor Ron Dyne the progress on the new Rainbow Beach storm water system.

Craig Warhurst

GYMPIE Regional Council is completing a $1.5 million upgrade of the storm water system at Rainbow Beach.

Council found out the current drainage system wasn't large enough when Rainbow Beach was hit by a massive storm in August 2007.

About 700mm of rain fell inless than 24 hours; the run off and associated debris blocked drains and water flooded across the main road into the business centre of the coastal community.

Job supervisor Peter Bailey said the major storm event water was directed into Rainbow Beach from the surrounding hills.

He said that after a long dry spell the sand became hydrophobic (repelled water) and that added to the run off problems.

The new system includes two new 1200mm pipes that will carry the majority of the water in a major storm and the old system would be used to carry any overflow.

“The twin 1200mm system can carry a lot more debris and there is less chance of it blocking up,” Mr Bailey said.

“It will reduce the risk of the August event ever happening again,” he said.

The council is hoping to have all major earthworks finished before the Christmas holiday period.