Dana Gludze
While levees remain a question in Emerald, there’s certainly no question that other flood risk management options are being explored. Information about the Emerald Flood Protection Scheme and the Central Highlands’ flood mitigation projects will now be more readily available to the community.
Miss Dana Gluzde has recently commenced work with Central Highlands Regional Council as Emerald Flood Protection Scheme Liaison Officer. The idea of the role is to provide residents with one central point of contact for their levee related questions.
Councillor Gail Nixon, Miss Gluzde, and Central Highlands Regional Council CEO Scott Mason have been systematically meeting people who may have the proposed levee built on their land.
‘We realise we have not gotten back to people with some of the questions they raised the last time we visited,’ said Councillor Nixon. ‘Having one point of contact means people’s concerns will be followed up more methodically and timely.
‘Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue to meet with those people face-to-face where possible or call them to introduce Dana, and provide them with an update on the flood project status. If we’ve missed meeting or calling you, or you have concerns, please take the initiative to call us.’
While new to the Emerald area, Miss Gluzde isn’t new to flooding.
‘I grew up in Balonne, where we’ve had three floods in two years. Although I had to evacuate my home and town several times, and the business where I worked was flooded three times, it’s nothing in comparison to what others have been through both in Emerald and in Balonne. The Emerald floods were devastating.’
Miss Gluzde, who also worked on Balonne’s flood risk projects, works part-time on the Emerald Flood Protection Scheme project, both from the Emerald office and while in Balonne.
‘While the council is still investigating the viability of a levee for Emerald, in due course, we’ll also be reporting back to the community on the status of some of the other ‘non-levee’ suggestions they’ve made to reduce flood risk,’ she explained.
The council will provide the latest updates on the Emerald Flood Protection Scheme project over the coming weeks.
To contact Dana Gluzde, telephone 4986 8419 or email emeraldlevee@chrc.qld.gov.au