North Pine Dam, northwest of Brisbane, poses a greater flooding threat to densely populated areas than the Wivenhoe and Somerset dams, Queensland’s flood commission of inquiry was told last week.

North Pine Residents’ Association President Peter Hackney told the inquiry locals expressed concern in February to the authority controlling the dams, Seqwater.

The area directly downstream from the North Pine Dam is a densely settled urban area.

But Seqwater official told residents at a meeting in February that North Pine Dam has “little in the way of flood mitigation capacity”.

Dr Hackney says the officials told residents Seqwater is obliged to keep the water level of the dam very close to the top, and it wasn’t something that could be changed.

The residents were advised to take the issue up with the commission of inquiry.

Somerset Regional Council Operations Manager Anthony Jacobs told the inquiry a better and more efficient way to communicate the dangers of flood is needed.

He says the current method – dam staff pass on the warning to the council and then the council passes it on to residents – is “not the most effective way”.

“I think there needs to be a system in place where Seqwater can issue warnings directly,” Mr Jacobs said.

The inquiry continues this week in Brisbane.