Australia reserves $13.3 million for Katherine dam — ABC News Australia
In the city of Katherine in northern Australia, the Northern Territory government has reserved A$13.3 million for the construction of a three-kilometre flood levee in the Katherine South area. The decision was announced several months after the city's most severe flooding in nearly three decades, ABC News Australia reports.
The funding for the project is to come from the A$100 million Northern Territory Flood Recovery Fund, created during the March flooding. The government said the new structure would help provide additional protection for 210 homes and businesses in Katherine South.
Flood protection
In March, the water level in the Katherine River reached its highest mark since 1998. The region then experienced a series of extreme weather events over four months, including two tropical cyclones during one wet season.
According to the government, the combined operation of the northern levee and the future southern levee should strengthen protection for Katherine residents from the effects of floods that occur on average once every 20 years. The Katherine South levee is planned to run from the western side of Katherine Country Club on Pearce Street to the southern part of the area along Victoria Highway.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Project parameters and concerns
The plan includes 1.6-metre-high earth embankments, a 1.5-metre-high levee wall, and raising the levels of Murphy Street, Murray Street and Bicentennial Road. It is currently unknown when work will begin and how long the project will take to complete.
Katherine Mayor Joanna Holden welcomed the funding. She noted that the federal government had previously promised A$9.1 million, and that the Northern Territory authorities' contribution could deliver a better outcome for the city. At the same time, Holden stressed that the city council wants to be involved in planning, as the levee could potentially direct more water towards the city's showgrounds, where there are buildings and electrical equipment.
Local volunteer Trent de Wit said that after the March flood, water remained on some streets in Katherine South for the longest time. He also stressed the need to inspect stormwater drainage, particularly near Tindal Street: according to him, river water may enter the drainage system and flood lower sections of roads.
