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Last Updated: Tuesday, 16 September 2025 09:07

Published: Tuesday, 16 September 2025 09:07

South Toowoomba’s flood resilience has been strengthened following completion of the Kearney Street Chute Betterment project at the southern end of Kearney Street, Kearneys Spring in July 2025.

Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) $11.8 million Betterment Program is part of the broader 2022 Flood Recovery Program and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, said the completion of the upgrades to the Kearney Street Chute would help prepare local residents and first responders during the next flood emergency.

“The Albanese Government is proud to have partnered with the Queensland Government to provide this significant funding to Toowoomba Regional Council, who have identified a range of important works to build infrastructure damaged by the 2022 floods to a better standard,” Minister McBain said.

“I’d like to congratulate Council on completing this project and I’m looking forward to seeing Council continue their progress to make the Region more resilient.”

The Queensland Treasurer and State Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the Betterment project reinforced Toowoomba’s disaster recovery capability.

“The Crisafulli Government’s focus on Betterment means local communities can rest assured their infrastructure is prepared for when natural disasters strike,” Mr Janetzki said.

“We are strengthening Queensland’s disaster response and recovery capabilities so communities like Toowoomba South can recover quicker.”

TRC Construction and Maintenance (Infrastructure Services) portfolio spokesperson, Cr Carol Taylor, said Council’s Central Construction and Maintenance team undertook the works to address ongoing flood damage within the chute’s catchment.

“The works at the southern end of Kearney Street have been designed to improve the chute’s ability to manage stormwater during significant rainfall, enhancing overall flood resilience,” Cr Taylor said.

“The scope of works covered a 260-metre steep stretch of open drain, with a 46-metre vertical drop at an 18% incline.

“Construction involved placing approximately 2,700m³ of rock material and around 180 rock-filled gabion baskets within the chute and then tying the materials into the existing channel.

“Betterment projects are designed to enhance Council’s infrastructure by restoring assets to a more resilient standard to reduce the impact of future natural disasters on the Region’s road and drainage networks.”

For more information on the program, visit Council’s Flood Recovery Program webpage

Enquiries can be directed to Council on 131 872.

Caption: Kearney Street Chute Betterment Project, Kearneys Spring. View from top (Kearney Street, Kearneys Spring) and the view from the bottom at Hayden Street, Top Camp (below).