Council is continuing to work with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA), to obtain funding approval for a large volume of flood recovery work across many towns and villages.
So far, Council has submitted claims to the tune of more than $102.2 million, with further submissions underway. This represents an incredible amount of work, with Council needing to do indepth investigations and prove eligibility for works. Over 4,738 damaged sites on 760 roads have been identified as eligible for DRFA funding.
Director Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Rob Scott said that a significant number of works were in preparation across slips, bridges, sealed and unsealed roads, reflecting the scale and complexity of the recovery effort.
"Obtaining funding and organising these flood recovery works is on a scale equivalent to several years of ordinary capital works on our transport network," commented Mr Scott.
"A lot has been happening behind the scenes in undertaking investigations, completing hundreds of detailed funding submissions, starting design and planning phases.
"With funding approvals beginning to come through from NSWRA, the community will begin to see more works occurring on the ground across affected parts of the LGA."
Bridges: The initial concept designs for The Bight and Tiri Bridges have been presented to NSWRA, with confirmation pending. The next phase of design and investigation for both bridges is underway. As part of the detailed design for The Bight Bridge, geotechnical investigations have recently been undertaken on site. This is an important milestone in the progress towards bridge reconstruction.
The design of permanent pavement approaches for Gloryvale bridge is currently being finalised.
Three minor bridge replacements at Fordhams, Leslies and Browns Creek Bridges have been submitted
In total, 163 bridges were cleared of debris during the Emergency Works period. Council is submitting claims for damages to approximately 73 bridges; with 6 requiring replacement, and 67 with approach and in-stream or abutment scour requiring repair.
Browns Creek Pedestrian bridge has been separated out as an urgent submission due to the nature of the damage, and its importance as a pedestrian route.
Land Slips: Councils submissions for Thunderbolts Way at Mares Run and Baxters Ridge Slip, and River Road slip, Glenthorne are currently being assessed by NSWRA. In total, 107 separate slip locations are being prepared.
Sealed Roads: Council is awaiting submission outcomes for The Bucketts Way, Thunderbolts Way, and Manning River Drive. In Gloucester there are 1,375 separate damage locations on 108 separate roads, which are being submitted for NSWRA claims over coming weeks.
In Taree, claims on 1,864 separate damage locations on 380 separate roads are currently being prepared.
Unsealed Roads: Work on Belbora Creek Road has recently been completed, while work on a failed culvert on Dees Road, 6.5km from The Bucketts Way intersection, is set to begin on 27 July, weather permitting, with road closures in place between 9am and 2:30pm. Many more unsealed road repairs are needed, with Council seeking to fast-track claims.
To keep up to date with upcoming works please visit Council's Roads Hub at https://haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/midcoast-roads-hub
