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Latrobe Council turns to Entura for flood management study

July 24, 2017

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by Latrobe Council to assess flood management options for the historic town.

Situated on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Latrobe was significantly affected by flooding from the Mersey River and Kings Creek in June 2016. The devastating event led to significant property damage and the loss of one life.

Entura will undertake a study to examine the potential for a levee to protect the town from Mersey River flooding and the enhancement or addition of detention storage in Kings Creek.

“The aim of the study is to protect the town from major flooding where possible,” said David Fuller, Principal Consultant Water Manager and Technology at Entura. “A first step in the project will be to ensure existing monitoring information is more readily available for proactive flood management action by Council staff.”

The study is expected to be completed by April 2018.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Entura in this study,” Mayor Peter Freshney said. “Ideally this study will provide clear direction and alternatives to mitigate against flooding in the Latrobe Township and if so we will be seeking financial assistance from both the Federal and State Governments to assist in what will most likely be a major infrastructure project.”

“Conversely if the study determines that we cannot mitigate against future flood events then we will make provision and maintenance of a robust, ‘state of the art’ flood warning system our priority,” said Mayor Freshney

Flood modelling is a critical part of managing risk and public safety risks across flood-prone regions. As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest water manager and renewable energy producer, Entura provides real-time inflow forecasts and data management solutions to help manage Hydro Tasmania’s own extensive catchments and a complex system including 55 major dams.

“Entura has built on its experience in hydropower to offer flood forecasting expertise to a range of clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region for other important applications, such as providing the advanced flood warnings needed to protect assets and communities at risk, whether in regional areas like Latrobe or a large metropolis like Kuala Lumpur,” said Mr Fuller.