Many of you were caught up in the flood events in October 2022, which caused much damage to infrastructure and property throughout our Shire, our farm at Timor West included.
A lot of roads and culverts suffered significant damage and although Council's immediate post flood priority was to make thing safe as soon as possible, there is much work that still needs to be done.
It may feel to many that "nothing is happening", however this is far from true. Council engaged an experienced asset management and impact assessment consultancy firm to assess the damage caused and to determine the scope of repair work needed to return to a serviceable condition on roads, culverts and other public infrastructure.
Council has since lodged a $9.8+ million claim to recover costs through the National Disaster Financial Assistance (NDFA). This is currently being reviewed by the Department of Transport (DOT) and it is estimated that approval of the claim should be granted in the coming weeks.
Council is well positioned to commence works across the road network once final approval of the claim is received with contracts for the management of the flood recovery program and delivery of on ground reinstatement and renewal works awarded at the March 2023 Council meeting.
One of the roads in my ward, Scent Farm Road, will receive gravel re-sheeting, as part of these works.
Planned activities scheduled to be completed under the road network restoration program consist of:
- repairs and cleaning of major and minor culvert/bridges
- cleaning and reinstatement of roadside table drains
- grading and gravel re-sheeting of damaged unsealed roads
- repairs to sealed roads including reinstatement of potholes, rehabilitation of failed pavement and repair of unsealed shoulders where necessary
- ·vegetation removal and replacement of damaged signs
Until these works are complete, please be mindful of the roads, especially gravel ones. Remember to always drive to the conditions, it's just not worth an accident to get to your destination a few minutes quicker.
