Following a period of extensive assessment, council’s infrastructure team has identified more than 200 individual stretches of sealed and unsealed roads requiring repair.
While some of these have been approved and completed, there’s still quite a number to go through the approval process.
“It’s been a mammoth task for our team, but we have now identified and compiled all flood-related damage to the road network and associated infrastructure,” Mayor Chris Bilkey said.
“While we’ve commenced or completed a good section of works, we are also still in the process of finalising the submissions required for review and approval by Transport for NSW, which is vital to secure funding for the comprehensive repair works.”
All flood-related damage across council’s 3200km road network must be assessed by Transport for NSW before funding will be approved under the NSW Natural Disaster Recovery Program.
“We understand the urgency of restoring the road infrastructure, but it is crucial to obtain this approval otherwise we have no hope of funding it,” Cr Bilkey said.
“So we really do appreciate the community’s patience and support during this phase.”
Emergency works, executed promptly in the initial recovery response, have also contributed to council’s recent workload.
Emergency repairs were completed to restore access on critical road routes.
These emergency repairs will continue to be maintained until approved reconstruction works can commence, ensuring the ongoing safety and accessibility for residents and motorists.
To date, approved roads that have been repaired and completed include:
• Barham Rd: 200 sq m of sealed pavement restoration and 130m of shoulder material replacement;
• Barmah Rd: 6310 sq m of sealed pavement restoration;
• Milgate Rd: 1000m of unsealed road surface restoration and 20m of replacement material;
• Millewa Rd: 1080m of unsealed road surface restoration and 1160m of replacement material;
• Nineteen Mile Rd: 3170m of replacement material;
• Officer Rd: 1560m of replacement material; and
• Sandy Bridge Rd: 1940m of unsealed road surface restoration.
Significant approved works in progress also include sections of Aratula Rd, Dungala Way, Maude Rd, Noorong Rd, Old Barmah Rd, Picnic Point Rd, Riverside Caravan Park Access Rd and Tarragon Rd.
While focusing on meeting the critical deadline of June 30 for the approved work, council has maintained steady progress despite having to balance other priorities.
But the balance has not been without challenges for the council team.
“Challenges relating to works programming and getting things completed have predominantly arisen from non-flood-related projects,” Cr Bilkey said.
“We obtained funding to undertake a schedule of works this current financial year, but a large portion of this was put on hold when the flood event occurred.
“But with external funding comes external deadlines too, so we need to get these works completed or risk losing the support.”
These works include major road restoration projects such as Centre Rd, Kyalite Rd, North Barham Rd and Wakool Rd.
Any reconstruction works not completed by June 30 will be allocated to another stage of the recovery program, with an updated deadline of June 30, 2025.