Murrindindi Shire Council has completed critical restoration works at Walls Road Bridge in Glenburn and the South Cathedral Lane culvert in Buxton, improving the safety and resilience of key community infrastructure impacted by flooding.
The projects were delivered through the Australian Government's Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), following the October 2022 floods. While the program supports the restoration of essential infrastructure, securing funding for resilience improvements required further assessment and approval to deliver stronger outcomes for the community.
Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said the works demonstrate the importance of rebuilding in a way that better prepares communities for future events.
"These projects are about more than repairing what was damaged, they are about making sure our infrastructure is stronger and more resilient into the future," Cr Gallagher said.
"Our communities rely on these connections every day, and it's critical that when we rebuild, we reduce the risk of the same damage occurring again."
Walls Road Bridge sustained significant damage during the October 2022 floods, including loss of protective rock around the bridge foundations and impacts to the waterway. Restoration works included the installation of large rock protection along the bridge approaches to improve stability and durability.
The South Cathedral Lane culvert was also heavily damaged during the October 2022 floods, with deterioration continuing over time.
Flooding caused the structure to fail, with culverts shifting out of place and water escaping the channel. Reconstruction included replacing the damaged culvert with a larger structure, increasing waterway capacity and improving how floodwater is carried through the site. The crossing was also widened to improve safety.
Following assessment and approval by the funding agency, works at both locations incorporated improvements designed to enhance durability and performance in future extreme weather conditions.
This approach highlights the value of making betterment funding a standard part of disaster recovery, moving beyond like-for-like replacement and delivering infrastructure that is better equipped to withstand future events.
The completion of the works marks an important step in Council's broader flood recovery program, delivered over an extended period as funding approvals were finalised.
Cr Gallagher said the projects highlight the need to embed betterment as a standard component of disaster recovery funding.
"Rebuilding like-for-like after every event is not sustainable for communities like ours," he said.
"Betterment funding gives us the opportunity to meet contemporary standards and future-proof our infrastructure, improving reliability, reducing future impacts and delivering better value for public investment."
Murrindindi Shire Council continues to advocate for improved access to betterment funding to support more resilient infrastructure outcomes in disaster-affected communities.
Pictured above: Walls Road Bridge in Glenburn, after repairs and betterment works.
Pictured: Walls Road Bridge in Glenburn, before repairs.
Pictured: Side view of South Cathedral Lane culvert in Buxton, before repairs.
Pictured: Side view of South Cathedral Lane culvert in Buxton, after repairs and betterment works.
Pictured: Top view of South Cathedral Lane culvert in Buxton, before repairs and betterment works.
