Brisbane City Council says it supports every one of the recommendations listed in a special independent report into its handling of the January floods.

How and when the recommendations will come into affect may take a little time but with the $640,000 report handed down today, the Lord Mayor says the ball can start rolling.

Nyree Callaghan reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The independent report into council’s handling of the January floods has come up with a “highly commended” response.

While he’s thrilled Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says it’s important council learns from the mistakes it did make.

Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor: “This report provides an opportunity to focus on those things we did well, those things we did pretty well and those things that we could do better.”

There was one fatality in the 2011 flood compared with 14 deaths in 1974.

The Lord Mayor says this time round Brisbane was prepared and authorities knew what was needed to minimise damage.

Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor: “I am absolutely proud of council staff. They went above and beyond during the course of this flood event.”

Fifty three recommendations have come out of the review and Graham Quirk says every one has council support.

But the opposition says that isn’t enough.

Shayne Sutton, Brisbane Council’s Opposition spokesperson: “Brisbane City Council didn’t have those evacuation centres planned and co-ordinated. It was a last ditch scramble.”

One of the recommendations is to investigate the logistics of building a levee around the Rocklea Markets the state’s main distribution centre for fruit and vegetables.

Thousands of tonnes of fresh produce was destroyed here when the Rocklea Markets were completely submerged in the January floods.

Any recommendations to prevent this happening again are welcomed by local businesses.

Andrew Young, CEO Brisbane Markets: “I certainly applaud the council’s initiative. I think it’s well done. Full marks to them as long as they now follow through and make sure they make those key recommendations happen.”

The Lord Mayor has asked the council’s CEO to prepare an action plan for each of the recommendations by the end of June.

Nyree Callaghan, QUT News.