Dumaresq Valley resident Cr Nick de Stefani has been a vocal critic of Tenterfield Shire’s flood response in Mingoola. But his claim that the Mingoola area had received no warning of the impending high waters was refuted at last week’s council meeting.
“His comments that they were not advised are not correct,” the council’s director of engineering Brian Turner said. And he has the phone record to prove it.
Mr Turner told the February 9 meeting that a warning of the imminent event was reported to Cr de Stefani at 12.45 when the 645mm spill level was recorded in Tenterfield.
He added that later, Cr de Stefani had said to him, “Brian you were the only one who gave me any information.” He added that after the event, Nick had on two occasions remarked that his prediction was 15 minutes out.
As further information, Mr Turner noted to councillors that as well as Tenterfield Creek, Curry’s Gap and Groombridges Creek both provide a significant proportion of water to the flood system.
In the wake of this, last week’s meeting in Tenterfield saw the director secure $30,000 to upgrade the local flood management system. There were no arguments about allocating the extra funds for the 2011 Management Plan. This will include 2D computer modeling for enhanced predictions in future.
