Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) Program
We provide riverine flood forecasting and warning services across parts of Australia, using a network of more than 10,000 rain and river level gauges.
We own about one-third of these gauges. The rest are owned and maintained by local, state and territory governments, and private organisations.
In 2023, the Australian Government committed up to $236 million over 10 years to help the Bureau:
- simplify ownership
- upgrade and maintain about 1,600 priority sites currently owned by local and state governments.
We will also automate some of our manual sites.
Video: Flood warning infrastructure network program
Currently, there are more than 8,000 rain and river level gauge 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 around 1,600 additional 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. The 10-year program will reach all states and territories. Upgrades will take place in a staggered approach over several years.
FWIN's acquisition of rain and river level gauge sites across the country is scheduled to be completed by June 2033.
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.
Aims, benefits and process
Aims
The FWIN program aims to improve the long-term resilience of Australia's flood warning network.
Simplifying ownership and maintenance arrangements for the flood warning network will help ensure:
- national consistency
- data access
- quality control.
These changes will help communities be better prepared during flood events.
Benefits
For communities and emergency management, benefits include improved:
- rain and river level observations
- data supporting flood forecasts and warnings
- support for disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
For current asset owners, it will reduce the maintenance and improvement costs.
Process
The requirements to complete this work are complex, extensive and sometimes sensitive.
Program works are being undertaken in a staged approach and are scheduled to be completed by 2033.
Stages of work for each of the 1,600 priority sites under the Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program
Schedule and progress
Details of the schedule and progress for each state and territory.
Schedule
Detailed planning: July 2023 to June 2024 – Completed.
Site acquisition and upgrade work: from July 2024 – In progress.
Site maintenance: from July 2025 – In progress.
The full Queensland program will include about 1,100 sites across 47 of the state's flood watch catchments. This involves 55 local government asset owners.
Progress
As of February 2026:
Stage 1 – Identify sites
Flood warning catchment priorities were agreed with state government partner, Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) in 2024.
We worked closely with QRA, Local Government Association Queensland and local government asset owners to identify priority flood gauge sites, as listed below.
We consulted with 62 local government asset owners through in-person workshops to understand local priorities and community needs.
In September 2024 the Bureau and Queensland asset owners initially agreed on more than 800 flood gauge sites to be included in the FWIN Program.
Consultation continues to identify the remaining flood gauge sites to be included in the FWIN Program.
Stage 2 – Scope remediation works
Detailed technical assessments of flood gauge sites began in 2024.
701 site assessment reports have been completed in Queensland and we have confirmed the scope of works required for 381 of these sites.
Stage 3 – Site acquisitions and clearances
Site acquisitions and clearances began in June 2024, with transfer of equipment agreements issued to local councils.
We have acquired 275 sites in Queensland.
In addition to this, transfer of equipment agreements are with 93 councils for signing and clearances are in progress:
353 sites have had due diligence completed and a further 25 sites are in progress.
298 sites have been cleared in accordance with the Native Title Act. 49 sites are in progress and 31 sites require engagement with Traditional Owners.
305 sites have been cleared for cultural heritage, with a further 43 sites under assessment. 30 sites require engagement with Traditional Owners.
123 sites have tenure agreements completed. 157 sites are undergoing active negotiations and 98 sites are in progress.
378 sites are undergoing environmental clearance.
Stage 4 – Remediate sites
Remediation work began in Cairns in July 2024.
There are 112 Queensland sites under remediation. This includes work packages being prepared, engaging vendors and physical site works.
Stage 5 – Transition to Bureau operations
There are 6 Queensland sites being transitioned to Bureau operations.
Stage 6 – Sites live, routine maintenance
Our first sites went live in December 2025.
There are 7 Queensland sites displaying data on our website and part of the Bureau's regular scheduled maintenance.
Sites in Queensland identified for acquisition
Queensland sites
These sites are in our program of works for Queensland. We will continue updating this list as more identified sites are confirmed. This list is current as of February 2026.
Banana Shire Council:
Dawson and Don Rivers, 47.
Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers and Shoalwater and Water Park Creeks, 1.
Barcaldine Regional Council:
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam, 6.
Barcoo Shire Council:
Cooper Creek, 3.
Diamantina River, 2.
Boulia Shire Council:
Georgina River and Eyre Creek, 9.
Bulloo Shire Council:
Bulloo River, 2.
Cooper Creek, 2.
Bundaberg Regional Council:
Burnett River, 17.
Burrum and Cherwell Rivers, 5.
Burdekin Shire Council:
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam, 2.
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam, 19.
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam, 4.
Don and Proserpine Rivers, 2.
Haughton River, 13.
Bureau of Meteorology:
Multiple Flood Watch Catchments, 21.
Burke Shire Council:
Leichhardt River, 1.
Nicholson River, 12.
Cairns Regional Council:
Barron River, 19.
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers, 7.
Carpentaria Shire Council:
Cloncurry River, 1.
Leichhardt River, 1.
Lower Flinders River, 2.
Norman River, 15.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council:
Barron River, 1.
Johnstone River, 22.
Murray River, 6.
Tully River, 12.
Charters Towers Regional Council:
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam, 15.
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam, 3.
Haughton River, 1.
Cloncurry Shire Council:
Cloncurry River, 5.
Georgina River and Eyre Creek, 2.
Leichhardt River, 1.
Croydon Regional Council:
Norman River, 1.
Diamantina Shire Council:
Diamantina River, 1.
Douglas Shire Council:
Daintree River, 5.
Mossman River, 3.
Etheridge Shire Council:
Gilbert River, 1.
Flinders Shire Council:
Lower Flinders River, 2.
Thomson River, 3.
Upper Flinders River, 7.
Fraser Coast Regional Council:
Burrum and Cherwell Rivers, 10.
Mary River, 11.
Goondiwindi Regional Council:
Macintyre River, 15.
Weir River, 16.
Gympie Regional Council:
Mary River, 2.
Hinchinbrook Shire Council:
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam, 1.
Herbert River, 28.
Ipswich City Council:
Lower Brisbane River, 21.
Isaac Regional Council:
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam, 4.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council:
Lower Brisbane River, 34.
Mackay Regional Council:
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam, 2.
Don and Proserpine Rivers, 1.
Pioneer River, 25.
Maranoa Regional Council:
Balonne River, 7.
Wallam and Mungallala Creeks, 3.
Mareeba Shire Council:
Barron River, 4.
Mitchell River, 2.
McKinlay Shire Council:
Cloncurry River, 3.
Lower Flinders River, 1.
Moreton Bay Regional Council:
Upper Brisbane River, 2.
Murweh Shire Council:
Paroo River, 3.
Warrego River, 27.
Noosa Shire Council:
Mary River, 6.
North Burnett Regional Council:
Burnett River, 20.
Paroo Shire Council:
Paroo River, 3.
Quilpie Shire Council:
Bulloo River, 6.
Cooper Creek, 4.
Richmond Shire Council:
Lower Flinders River, 3.
Upper Flinders River, 4.
Rockhampton Regional Council:
Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers and Shoalwater and Water Park Creeks, 8.
Scenic Rim Regional Council:
Logan and Albert Rivers, 24.
Lower Brisbane River, 1.
Somerset Regional Council:
Upper Brisbane River, 2.
South Burnett Regional Council:
Burnett River, 1.
Southern Downs Regional Council:
Condamine Rivers, 35.
Macintyre River, 13.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council:
Mary River, 11.
Upper Brisbane River, 1.
Tablelands Regional Council:
Barron River, 3.
Herbert River, 1.
Johnstone River, 1.
Toowoomba Regional Council:
Condamine Rivers, 9.
Upper Brisbane River, 2.
Townsville City Council:
Black River, 11.
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam, 1.
Haughton River, 2.
Ross and Bohle Rivers, 34.
Western Downs Regional Council:
Balonne River, 10.
Burnett River, 3.
Condamine Rivers, 37.
Whitsunday Regional Council:
Don and Proserpine Rivers, 18.
Winton Shire Council:
Diamantina River, 12.
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council:
Daintree River, 1.
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council:
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers, 6.
Schedule
Detailed planning: July 2024 to June 2025 – Completed.
Site acquisition and upgrade work: July 2025 to June 2030 – In progress.
Site maintenance: from July 2026.
The full NSW/ACT program will include about 258 flood gauge sites across 37 flood watch catchments, involving 33 local government asset owners.
Progress
As of February 2026
Stage 1 – Identify sites
Flood warning catchment priorities were agreed with the state government partner, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), in 2025.
Flood warning catchment priorities were discussed with the ACT government partner, Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, and consultation with the ACT continues.
We worked closely with NSW DCCEEW and local government asset owners to identify priority flood gauge sites.
We consulted with 34 local government asset owners through in‑person workshops to understand local priorities and community needs.
In 2025 the Bureau, NSW DCCEEW and local government asset owners initially agreed on approximately 160 flood gauge sites to be included in the FWIN Program.
Consultation continues between the Bureau and NSW asset owners to identify the remaining flood gauge sites to be included in the program.
Stage 2 – Scope remediation works
Detailed technical assessment of flood gauge sites began in 2025 to determine the level of remediation that may be required.
85 site assessment reports have been completed in NSW and we have confirmed the scope of works required for 39 of these sites.
Stage 3 – Site acquisitions and clearances
Site acquisitions and clearances began, with transfer of equipment agreements issued to local councils in 2025.
We have acquired 31 sites in New South Wales.
In addition to this, clearances are in progress for multiple sites:
31 sites have had due diligence completed.
29 sites have been cleared in accordance with the Native Title Act, with 2 further sites in progress.
20 sites have been cleared for cultural heritage, and 11 sites require engagement with Traditional Owners.
23 sites have tenure agreements completed, with a further 8 in progress.
6 sites have had environmental assessments completed and a further 25 are in progress.
Stage 4 – Remediate sites
Remediation work began in the Northern Rivers region in February 2026.
There are 7 New South Wales sites under remediation, including work packages being prepared, vendor engagement and physical site works.
Stage 5 – Transition to Bureau operations
Our first NSW sites are expected to go live in June 2026.
Sites in New South Wales identified for acquisition
New South Wales sites
These sites are in our program of works for New South Wales. We will continue updating this list as more identified sites are confirmed. This list is current as of February 2026.
Ballina Shire Council:
Richmond River, 5.
Bellingen Shire Council:
Bellinger and Kalang Rivers, 8.
Byron Shire Council:
Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek, 9.
Wilsons River, 1.
Clarence Valley Council:
Clarence River, 1.
Coffs Coast, 4.
Coffs Harbour City Council:
Orara River, 1.
Lismore City Council:
Wilsons River, 20.
Nambucca Valley Council:
Nambucca River, 6.
Tweed Shire Council:
Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek, 7.
Tweed and Rouse Rivers, 23.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Environment Restoration Fund):
Richmond River, 9.
Wilsons River, 3.
Armidale City Council:
Macleay River, 2.
Cessnock City Council:
Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River, 7.
Kempsey Shire Council:
Macleay River, 18.
Lake Macquarie City Council:
Lake Macquarie, 8.
Mid‑Coast Council:
Manning and Gloucester River, 6.
Newcastle City Council:
Newcastle Area, 1.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council:
Camden Haven River, 8.
Hastings River, 7.
Upper Hunter Shire Council:
Goulburn and Upper Hunter Rivers, 7.