Council staff are focussed on recovery two weeks on from one of the wettest Mays on record, highlighted by the intense rainfall of Thursday 22 May when 169mm fell within a 24-hour period.
Conducting essential damage assessments, emergency repairs, and planning for long-term restoration of public infrastructure. By inspecting, recording and mapping the damage, Council can apply for disaster recovery funding from Transport for NSW and other levels of government.
A snapshot of the information recorded so far highlights the scale of the event:
- 116 line items of damage related to roads
- 960+ repair jobs logged across Kempsey, Smithtown & Gladstone
- 18 sewage pumping stations were inundated with floodwater
- 80 stormwater sites in the Kempsey CBD require cleaning of debris, silt and blockages.
- An estimated $1.7M in repairs needed on South West Rocks Road alone
The scale of the floods means staff from almost all areas of Council – including construction, parks, water and sewer, IT and admin – have been called on to help.
During the initial emergency response, damage assessments by staff were vital in efficiently directing RFS crews and contractors for clean-up and waste pick-up. Operations staff have worked tirelessly to repair potholes, roadside drains and water infrastructure. Experienced Council crews rebuilt the washed-out road to reopen Majors Bridge at Moparrabah Road and reinstated water mains at Ryans Cut, restoring treated water to Crescent Head. The immediate rebuild priority remains Loftus Road at Ryans Cut.
These works – from drains and potholes to major repairs – are all additional tasks Council must deliver while disaster declaration funding is available. Extra contractors will be brought in where possible, but the flood repair focus means planned operational works and maintenance programs for this financial year will be delayed. Adjustments to the program and budgets will be reported to future Council meetings.
Council appreciates the community's patience and will do its best to keep everyone informed as we work through the rebuild list.
