Goondiwindi Levee Restoration Works

Why are these works needed?

• After nearly 70 years of protecting Goondiwindi from flooding, sections of the levee have experienced significant erosion that needs rehabilitation to maintain structural stability.

• The works will restore and reinforce approximately 1.5 kilometres of the Goondiwindi levee, targeting erosion and compromised sections revealed after recent foods.

• If we do nothing, there would be increased risk of levee failure, risking community safety and property. 

Is there erosion in other parts of the riverbank that this work will not address? If yes, why?

• Some sections of the levee outside the project area may also have minor erosion. These areas are not included in this project because they are stable enough that they do not pose an immediate risk.

Will I be kept up to date on the progress of the works?

• Yes. Council, in partnership with Proterra Group and Georgiou Group and Brady Marine joint venture (GBJV), will provide regular updates to keep affected residents informed about construction progress, upcoming activities, and any temporary impacts. This may be through a range of channels likely including residential mailouts, community meetings, doorknocks and Council media releases.

Who can I contact with questions or to make a complaint?

• GBJV will have a dedicated contact number closer to the time for residents to raise questions, concerns, or complaints. Residents can also reach out to Council at any time for guidance on the project at (07) 4671 7400 or mail@grc.qld.gov.au.

What is the location of the project?

• Please see this map(PDF, 404KB) for more information.

What is the expected timeline?

• Contract awarded: February 2026
• Construction start date: To be determined once final approvals are received and contractor availability is confirmed. The start date is expected before the end of 2026.
• Construction duration: Estimated 15 months. Completion expected before the end of 2027.

What times and days will the work take place?

• Work is expected to take place from 6.30am-6.00pm, Monday to Sunday.
• Piling will be the noisiest and most disruptive activity, Council is negotiating with the contractor to minimise the impact where possible. 

What disruption can I expect during the works?

• Some temporary disruption is expected during construction, including noise, vibration and dust, particularly during certain stages of the works.
• Importantly, anticipated disruption will occur in stages - not for the full duration of the project - and will vary depending on location.
• An estimated construction schedule outlining when different activities will occur is available - please refer to the Project Timeline for more information.
• Residents who work from home, or who have pets or young children sensitive to noise, may wish to consider alternative arrangements during periods of higher activity near their property.
• Noise and vibration management plans have been prepared as part of this project, outlining regulatory limits and mitigation measures. Noise and vibration will be monitored during construction.
• GBJV will have a dedicated contact number closer to the time for residents to raise questions, concerns, or complaints. If you have concerns or experience unexpected impacts, please report to GBJV as soon as possible so they can be addressed promptly.
• Residents can also reach out to Council at any time for guidance on the project at (07) 4671 7400 or mail@grc.qld.gov.au

Will the public river walk be open while works are taking place?

• Yes - the river walk is expected to remain open for most of the construction period, with no ongoing disruption to public access anticipated.
• Temporary closures may be required at certain stages of the works to ensure public safety - where temporary closures are necessary, clearly signed detours will be in place to maintain a continuous walking path for pedestrians.

How will the works impact community groups or events?

• Council has already contacted directly affected residents and will continue to work closely with key local community groups, including Hell of the West (HOTW), OzFish, and local fish restocking groups, to understand concerns and minimise impacts on activities wherever possible.
• The Goondiwindi Region has a busy events calendar, and Council will make every reasonable effort to schedule works around major community events, where construction staging allows.

How will the works impact community facilities like Riddles Oval or the Cultural Centre?

• The impact on Goondiwindi Cultural Centre bookings during construction will be assessed once the estimated construction schedule is confirmed. The intent is to work around existing bookings where feasible; new bookings will be advised of the estimated construction schedule.
• Minimal disruption is expected at Riddles Oval, although some level of noise disturbance is likely. Access will not generally be impacted.

What mitigation measures are in place to minimise impacts?

• Impact mitigation has been built into the project from the outset. Protecting residents, the environment and public spaces has been a key consideration in planning the works.
• Wherever possible, the project has been designed so works are carried out from within the river, rather than from the riverbank. This approach:
  • reduces the need to remove trees,
  • minimises disturbance to riverbank areas,
  • and limits impacts on nearby residents and public spaces.
• Additional mitigation measures will continue to be applied during construction, and the contractor is required to comply with environmental, noise and safety requirements throughout the project.

How will the works impact residents on the New South Wales side of the border?

• Local residents on the New South Wales side of the state border are an important part of the Goondiwindi community. Council is committed to ongoing communication and mitigating impact for affected residents on both sides of the border.
• The proposed (subject to approvals) laydown area for materials and river entry is off Kentucky Lane and residents will experience heavier traffic movements.

Will trees only be removed as a last resort?

•  Yes. Tree removal will only occur where it is unavoidable to safely complete the levee rehabilitation works. Council and the project team have worked to avoid and minimise tree loss wherever possible, including designing the project so works are undertaken from within the river to reduce disturbance to the riverbank.

How many trees will be removed?

•  Approximately 300 trees are located within the directly impacted work area.
•  This figure includes all vegetation sizes, from small saplings through to mature trees, including trees that are already dead or at risk of being lost to ongoing erosion.
•  Many of the impacted trees are closest to the river’s edge and are not typically visible from the top of the levee or public areas.
•  Additional trees may be selectively pruned, where required, to allow access while retaining the tree itself.
•  Importantly, if the rehabilitation works are not undertaken, continued erosion would likely result in the loss of these trees, plus significantly more over time, along with increased risk to the levee.

Will affected trees be replaced?

•  Yes. While mature river gums and other large trees cannot be directly replaced like-for-like, a revegetation plan is in place to restore the area following construction, using native trees and grasses appropriate to the river environment.

Will local birdlife be impacted?

•  Approximately 100 new nesting boxes will be installed as part of this project to help replace habitat for birds.

Will recreational fishing be permitted while works are taking place?

• Yes. Recreational fishing will still be permitted during construction.
• Boats will be able to safely pass through the work area, however loitering or anchoring near active construction zones will not be permitted for safety reasons.

Will fish be affected by noise, vibration or construction activity?

• During active construction, fish are likely to move away from the immediate work area, which is a normal short-term response to disturbance. Importantly, no long-term changes to fish behaviour or populations are expected once works are complete.
• Detailed investigations have been undertaken, including mapping of the riverbed, existing snags and submerged debris.
• Submerged timber and debris that are temporarily disturbed or removed during construction will be rehabilitated once work is completed, to restore habitat.

Have environmental specialists been consulted on this project?

• Yes – a biodiversity and environmental assessment has been completed as part of the project planning.

Will the works impact the boat ramp?

• No significant impacts to the boat ramp are expected. The contractor may use the boat ramp occasionally, which could result in a minor increase in traffic at times. Any changes to access or temporary disruptions will be communicated in advance if required.

What happens if it floods while the works are underway?

• The construction works are being carried out from within the river and on the existing levee. The levee will still be in place, and the works will not increase the risk of a levee breach during a flood event.

Are we at risk of the levee breaching before or during the works?

• No additional risk is created by the works. The overall risk remains the same during construction and will be reduced once the rehabilitation is complete.

Who do I report emergencies to?

• In the event of an emergency, contact 000.
• GBJV will have a dedicated contact number closer to the time for residents to raise questions, concerns, or complaints. For urgent issues related to the construction works, please report to GBJV as soon as possible so they can be addressed promptly.
• Residents can also reach out to Council at any time for guidance on the project at (07) 4671 7400 or mail@grc.qld.gov.au.

Will the works increase the height of the levee bank?

• No. The works are focused on restoration due to erosion, not increasing the height of the levee.

Why doesn’t Inglewood have a levee like Goondiwindi?

• Goondiwindi’s unique topography and river contours make a levee quite uncommonly effective here. The geography around Inglewood makes a similar structure unviable.

Who is funding the works?

• This major restoration and rehabilitation project is being jointly funded through the Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), meaning no ratepayer funds are required for the works.

What is Proterra’s role in the project?

• Council is the project owner. Council has engaged Proterra Group as the external project manager for the levee rehabilitation works. Their role includes overseeing project planning, procurement, construction coordination, risk management, quality assurance and contractor performance on Council’s behalf.

Why use an external project manager?

• This project is extremely unique and requires skills and knowledge outside of Council’s internal resources. Proterra Group specialises in managing and delivering large-scale, technically complex infrastructure projects, ensuring works are completed efficiently, safely and to a high standard.
• Proterra Group has engaged a large range of specialist consultants to support the project, including experts in geotechnical engineering, environmental and biodiversity management.
• By outsourcing the project management, Council officers can continue to deliver Council’s core services as usual, with no impact to the community.

Will I lose power or essential services at any time?

• Extended outages are not expected; any disruption should be short-term and limited to specific work activities. Temporary interruptions may occur, but these will be notified in advance.

Will the works divert water onto my property?

• No, the construction works are being carried out in front of (on the river side of) the existing levee and will not change the existing course of water or effectiveness of the levee.

Will I be able to use my back yard as normal during the works??

• As the project moves in stages along the river, that section of the levee will be secured with temporary fencing. Fencing is designed to reduce risk, but residents remain responsible for supervising pets and/or young children and should take care to prevent them from entering active work areas.
• There may be infrequent occasions where private access is briefly prohibited for safety reasons (e.g. when piling work is taking place in the immediate area). GBJV will be in touch with affected residents in advance to reduce disruption.

Will riparian landowners be able to irrigate their gardens as normal?

• Yes, water access will continue via temporary arrangements for the small number of affected residents.
• GBJV will coordinate with landowners to ensure irrigation needs are met wherever possible.

Will river pumps be available for use by riparian landowners?

• For the properties marked in RED on the Project Map(PDF, 404KB), existing river pump might be unavailable during certain stages of the work.
• Council’s priority is to ensure water supply is maintained, with temporary arrangements to be implemented.
• GBJV will work with individual landowners on a case-by-case basis to manage water access needs.
• After construction, river pumps will be replaced to Australian Standards, and in many cases, upgraded from their previous condition.

   

Will private infrastructure like stairs, jetties or decks be impacted?

• Any stairs or jetties removed for construction will be replaced to Australian Standards, and in many cases, upgraded from their previous condition.
• Private decks are unlikely to be impacted – if required, affected decks would be replaced be to a similar standard.
• GBJV will work directly with landowners regarding replacements.

My boat is usually tied up. Will I still be able to access it during construction?

• There may be times when direct river access is not possible. Alternative options include temporarily using the public pontoon or neighbour’s access point.
• GBJV will provide advance notice of any temporary access restrictions.

Will the contractors (GBJV) require entry to my property?

• Potentially, yes – especially the small number of properties marked in RED on the Project Map(PDF, 404KB), where GBJV may require external access to carry out works such as fencing, pump installation, or site surveys.
• Residents will be notified in advance of any required entry.

To be advised 

Public Community Information Session

12 March 2026, 5.30 pm, Goondiwindi Cinema.

Affected residents and interested community members are encouraged to attend to speak directly with Council officers, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Proterra Group and the GBJV team.

Public Community Information Session

March 2026 - Closed Information Session held for residents where access to their property will be required.

Resident Mail-outs

Residents in the impacted area have received personal correspondence from Council with project information.

Media Releases

• Council endorses the largest-ever capital works project to repair the Goondiwindi levee

• Major project underway to secure Goondiwindi’s levee

Videos

• Levee Restoration Animation
• Goondiwindi Levee Bank History - Graeme Scheu and Eddie Billings
• Goondiwindi Levee Bank History - Family Connections

• Goondiwindi Levee Bank Celebrating 70 years