Bureau of Meteorology's Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) Program
Flood Warning Infrastructure Network: Enhancing Community Safety
The Bureau of Meteorology is actively enhancing Australia’s flood warning network through the National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) Program. Funded by a $236 million investment from the Australian Government, this initiative aims to upgrade, acquire, and simplify ownership of high-priority rain and river gauges, along with associated communications equipment, within critical catchment areas over a 10-year period.
Impacts of FWIN in Queensland
In Queensland, FWIN will acquire and remediate approximately 1,000 flood warning sites over the next five years. Ongoing maintenance costs will be shared equally between the Bureau and the Queensland State Government.
The Bureau is collaborating with more than 60 Queensland councils to understand the flood warning network in local communities. This involves identifying high-priority flood warning sties for acquisition and exploring existing maintenance arrangements and standards.
For the purposes of program delivery, Queensland has been divided into seven regions: Far North Queensland, Townsville to Mackay, Rockhampton to Bundaberg, the north-west, south-east, south and south-west. Network understanding workshops have been conducted with councils across these regions, including Cairns, Cloncurry, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Brisbane, and Logan City. These workshops provide an opportunity for councils to review the sties earmarked for acquisition and submit additional requests. Most councils have expressed verbal support for the program, including the proposed list of sites.
What’s next?
As the network understanding workshops near completion, the Bureau is reviewing the sites discussed during these sessions. Updated post-workshop lists will be sent to councils for their initial agreement to commence detailed assessment process, prior to confirming those which will be acquired under the program. We will reach out to council CEO's to confirm the transition of ownership, with the Bureau’s Property Services and Legal teams working closely with councils during this process.
FWIN’s core program of works in Queensland will be announced by September 2024. This plan will identify approximately 750 of the 1,000 assets to be acquired and remediated in Queensland by 2028/29, starting with around 200 sites in the 2024/25 financial year.
Until asset ownership transfers to the Bureau, existing owners remain responsible for maintenance.
Pilot projects
The Bureau has designed two pilot projects to test FWIN’s processes:
| Pilot Project | Description |
|---|---|
| Pilot 1 - Kamerunga Bridge River Level Gauge (Cairns) | This project assesses acquisition and remediation processes. The site, which suffered extensive damage during Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, is crucial for forecasting and impacts around Cairns Airport. The Bureau replaced water instrumentation and communications equipment, meeting flood warning infrastructure standards after acquiring the equipment from Cairns Regional Council and obtaining permits from the site owner, the Department of Transport and Main Roads. |
| Pilot 2 - Burrum Cherwell Catchment (Southwest of Bundaberg) | This pilot tests FWIN’s end-to-end processes and transitions into the Bureau’s regular operations. Site investigations have been completed for 12 of the 13 sites, with acquisition and remediation expected to commence later this year. |
FAQ
Why is this work necessary?
Flood warning infrastructure plays a critical role in providing accurate riverine flood forecasts and warnings to communities and emergency services. These forecasts are essential for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Additionally, we make the data from these gauges accessible on the Bureau’s website to ensure the community has timely information.
However, ownership and maintenance of flood warning infrastructure in Australia have historically been complex. Currently, the Bureau owns approximately one-third of the gauges it relies on to deliver flood forecasts and warnings. To address this, the FWIN program aims to upgrade high-priority rain and river level gauges currently owned by local and state governments. The goal is to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and effective in providing accurate flood forecasts and warnings.
Will the Bureau acquire all flood warning assets?
No. Initially, the FWIN program focuses on high-priority assets in critical catchment areas. All other assets will continue to be owned and maintained by flood warning partners.
Timeline and ownership
- FWIN Duration: The FWIN program spans ten years and covers all states and territories.
- Completion Target: By 2030, we expect all upgrades across Australia to be finalised. In Queensland, upgrades are anticipated to be completed by 2028/29.
- Ownership Transition: The Bureau will take ownership of each in-scope rain and river level gauge before upgrade works commence. Our Property Services and Legal Teams will work closely with Councils on this process. Until then, local, state, and territory governments will continue to own and operate their gauges.
What about ongoing maintenance?
The Bureau is actively consulting with councils and technical experts to establish maintenance arrangements that meet our standards and requirements. While no specific terms have been set yet, ensuring reliable ongoing maintenance is a priority.
Contact
For more information contact us at:
FWIN@bom.gov.au
Source: Bureau of Meteorology, July 2024.