IF Charleville's river systems were to get flooding rain now, the new water diversion system would handle the flow, according to Murweh Mayor Dennis Cook.
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Although more needs to be done to finish the $14m project, enough had been completed to protect residents, he said.
"We can regulate what comes down the gully now, with the use of pipes," he said. "We are only going to let a metre come through the town."
The overall objective is to develop a flood-mitigation solution for Charleville which protects it from inundation from both the Warrego River on the western edge of town and Bradleys Gully, which cuts through the middle of the town.
Mr Cook said he was really impressed with the project and community opinion was coming round, too.
"The experts we got in designed the Snowy Mountain scheme - they should know what they're doing," he said.
"It works in reverse, too, so that if Bradley's Gully isn't up and the Warrego River's high, we can divert water into the gully."
Mr Cook said the completed project would see a lot more confidence return to Charleville and businesses begin opening up again.
He said the flood-damaged town hall had recently been restored and one business had already relocated there.
A bridge over the Bradley's Gully diversion is yet to be built to complete the project, and council was lobbying the Department of Transport and Main Roads to put more culverts in under the new Warrego River bridge.
"We believe the bank for the new road is holding water up, so we hope to work in partnership with the department to get the water away faster," he said.
Queensland Country Life was in town at the weekend and canvassed residents for their thoughts on the project.
Paul Johnson
- "I think the diversion is a good idea. There are people against this plan, but they don't realise the good it will do."
- "I've lived here since 1972 and had water through my house twice. I'm reserving my judgement until it's tested. I do have some reservations that the diversion might be too small."
- "I just hope it works. You can't trust water and you can't predict it. I've been here 10 years and had water in my house twice."
- "I don't think the diversion can do any harm. We've got to keep trying things to make Charleville flood-proof. It's proven that the levee bank on the Warrego saved Charleville last year. I admire the previous council for taking this project on."
- "I don't think it will work. They're trying to divert the water in town, rather than further out of town. All the land on the other side, the houses on the east and the north are going to get flooded."