Works on a major piece of flood infrastructure at Bellambi have wrapped up with the completion of extensive channel and culvert upgrades as part of the Bellambi Gully Flood Mitigation Scheme Project.
The extensive upgrades were recommended in the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP) for the combined Catchments of Whartons, Collins and Farrahars Creeks, Bellambi Gully and Bellambi Lake.
The FRMSP identified Bellambi Gully as one of five major catchments contributing to a higher flood risk in the area and drew on extensive feedback from residents regarding the community's experience of flooding.
A detailed site survey, computer flood modelling, and review of data from previous floods determined channel and culvert upgrades between Pioneer Road and Gladstone Street would help to reduce flood impacts to surrounding properties.
After securing funding through the Australian Government's National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program 2020/21, design for the project was completed in late 2022 with the first phase of works beginning in August 2023.
Carried out in three stages, works included:
- The installation of a stormwater pipe network from the outlet of the culvert under Gladstone Street to the existing channel to the north and south ends of Holy Spirit College and Bellambi Lane.
- Construction of the new channel with sandstone retaining walls and concrete dish drain through Holy Spirit College to improve the conveyance of flood water.
- Demolition of existing road and culverts for the construction of new culvert crossings at Gladstone Street, including headwalls and outlets.
- Construction of a new channel at the western side of Gladstone Street with permeable precast concrete retaining walls, concrete low flow channel, and concrete access to improve the conveyance of flood water.
- Upgrades to the Pioneer Road culvert outlet.
- Diversion of the Sydney Water watermain and sewer lines around Gladstone Street
The third stage of works was completed with additional funding from the NSW DCCEEW Flood Recovery and Resilience Program 2022/23
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown was delighted to see the completion of these vital flood mitigation works, with the city having been no stranger to floods in recent years.
"Unfortunately, many of our residents are all too aware of the impacts floods can have on homes and communities," Cr Brown said.
"We're so fortunate to live in a beautiful place between the ocean and the escarpment, but that does make our city and suburbs vulnerable to flooding. That's why it is important we continue to invest heavily in the long-term flood resilience through our flood mitigation and stormwater infrastructure.
"Conducting thorough floodplain management studies with the use of the latest investigation technologies is vital to ensuring our flood mitigation infrastructure is best equipped to handle flooding incidents.
"We're grateful to receive funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments for completion of this project and Council will continue to work closely with other levels of government to secure funding towards recovery and future resilience."
