Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) Program
Australians rely on us to provide flood forecasts and warnings. We are improving this vital service through the National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program.
The Australian Government is investing up to $236 million for this national 10-year program. It enables the Bureau to acquire and upgrade flood infrastructure, including:
- high-priority rain and river gauges
- supporting communications equipment.
The focus is on critical catchments in each state and territory.
Video: Improving Australia's flood warning infrastructure network
Currently, there are more than 8,000 gauging sites across Australia and the Bureau owns about one-third of these gauges that it relies on to deliver flood forecasts and warnings. Over the next 10 years the Bureau will acquire, upgrade and maintain more than 1,500 more flood warning sites located in high priority catchments across the country.
The work will lead to a modernised and well-maintained network that will enhance flood forecasts and warnings and improve community preparedness for flooding.
The national Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program, known as FWIN, began in Queensland, where around 1,000 gauges will be upgraded by June 2029. In 2024, the FWIN team have consulted with 64 Queensland councils about the flood warning sites to be included in the program.
The first site to be acquired and upgraded was the Cairns Kamerunga Bridge gauge in July 2024. The program will expand to all states and territories, starting next in New South Wales.
Funded by the Australian Government, ongoing maintenance will be shared between the Bureau and state governments and reduce the financial burden on local councils to maintain flood warning sites.
Schedule and progress
Work on the program began in Queensland, the country's most flood-prone state, in late 2023. Nearly 600 flood warning sites across 39 Queensland flood watch catchments are part of the initial FWIN program. The full Queensland program will include about 1,000 sites.
We have also now started in New South Wales.
Work is in progress across Queensland. For the number of sites in each catchment, see Queensland information on this page.