Speech to Chambers

Delivered by Councillor Seal Chong Wah, to the Debate on E & C report, Clause A, the Relief Drainage Project - Loward Avenue, Bardon, 18th November 2025

I am speaking on the E & C report, Clause A, the Relief Drainage Project - Loward Avenue, Bardon.

This relief drainage project on Loward Avenue, in Bardon, within the Paddington Ward, will deliver much needed new drainage infrastructure. 

Loward Avenue runs along Ithaca Creek, which floods on a regular basis.

This project will provide a 10-year Average Recurrence Interval immunity from stormwater flooding.

The project also hopes to reduce sewerage overflows during storm events, which has been quite disturbing to this community.

These drainage and stormwater projects are few and far between, and I am very thankful that this Bardon community is getting a much needed drainage upgrade.

The project requires an easement across private land through the Karalee Country Club and I am pleased that the owners did not oppose this easement.

There is no doubt that flooding is going to continue to be a major issue for my Ward and also for Brisbane City.  

We have the largest amount of development on any flood plain in Australia, and the consequences of that in a climate crisis world will be challenging - probably devastating.

It is critical that this council invests in flood and climate resilience. 

Unfortunately, this LNP council administration cut $19 million from the capital budget for new drainage infrastructure in this financial year, compared to last year. 

Another $14 million was cut from Stormwater Maintenance and Rehabilitation, compared to last year.

A total of $37 million was stripped from flood resilience in a city where so-called “1-in-100-year” floods are hitting every few years. 

So I feel very fortunate that my community is receiving this drainage upgrade project, when many other communities throughout the Brisbane Council area are not.