It spectacularly failed the first time it was used, but now Maryborough's $6 million flood levee is the big hero in town.
As communities across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales count the catastrophic cost of this week's weather event, the flood-prone town of Maryborough, 250 kilometres north of Brisbane, is counting its blessings.
It raises the possibility of other communities investigating similar flood mitigation.
While many homes and businesses were impacted by Monday night's 10.3-metre flood peak, much of the central business district was saved.
Hairdresser Sonia Mcleod said it was a relief to see her salon was not inundated and she would have her business back up and running in a matter of days.
"This time we were really lucky because the flood levee held back all the water," she said.
"It's still devastating for businesses on the other side of the levee which have been inundated."
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said without the levee, which was commissioned in 2017 but used for the first time this year, the whole CBD would have been under water.
"The state government provided funding for us to purchase it for flood protection," he said.
The Queensland government contributed $4.8 million and Fraser Coast Regional Council provided $1.2 million for the levee after floods in 2011, 2012, and 2013 were estimated to have caused nearly $43 million in damage.
Failed first test
The levee was first put to the test with the last flood only six weeks ago, but it failed because of damage to the stormwater system.
Water breached the wall from underneath and filled basements and retail stores.
"Lots of businesses were flooded, it was quite devastating last time," Ms Mcleod said.
The levee is made up of steel A-frames and covered by large plastic sheeting that is weighted down with heavy duty chain.
It is the same prototype used by the Rockhampton City Council in the 2017 floods.
How it works
Engineer Craig Hutton said it was the most feasible flood mitigation option for the city of Maryborough and could be deployed relatively quickly.
"It normally takes a team of 30-40 people around six hours to fully install it," he said.
Cr Seymour agreed it could be a good option for other flood-prone councils.
"It really relies on the topography. You've got to have an area that you block off where [flooding] can't come in from behind it," he said.
"It's about using the topography, where you can, to protect as much as possible."
