Flood Damage Restoration

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Overview

During 2021/22 the Western Downs experienced an unprecedented period of frequent high rainfall and multiple flood events across the region. Whilst this much-needed rainfall has provided great moisture profiles in the soil for cropping and replenished water in our dams, it has caused significant damage on our large road network.

Council is currently delivering the largest flood damage restoration package in Queensland to ensure our roads are safe and well maintained. This currently stands at $156 million of permanent restoration works to complete by mid 2024, weather permitting.

The delivery of this package firstly involved a comprehensive road assessment to capture the extent of the damage.

Since November 2021, a significant amount of temporary emergency repairs has also been completed. These temporary repairs ensure the impacted roads can be restored to a safe standard as soon as possible. At the same time, Council is planning and scheduling more permanent reconstruction works in these locations, which also takes into consideration the site conditions and the standard of resources required to complete the permanent reconstruction.  

Council has proactively liaised with experienced civil contractors and have fast-tracked the first rounds of flood damage restoration works.

$17 million of flood damage restoration works have been awarded, with contractors working across the region to deliver these packages.

The works involve desilting and repair of drainage structures, gravel re-sheeting, formation grading, shoulder regrading, replacing culverts, and pavement repairs.

  

The below map details the extent of the 2021/22 flood damage, as highlighted in blue.

Flood Event Map

Project updates

Western Downs has released two rounds of flood damage restoration work packages. Each round consists of multiple flood damage works packages spread across the region.

You can find out more details on what roads are being repaired in the awarded work packages below:

  • Package 1 - Wooleebee / Guluguba area Map(PDF, 537KB) - Delivered between December 2022 and March 2023 

ROUND 1 

  • Package 2 - Gurulmundi area Map(PDF, 323KB) - Delivered between February and April 2023 
  • Package 3 - Kragra / Cadarga / Monogorilby area Map(PDF, 468KB) - Delivered between February and April 2023 
  • Package 4 - Meandarra area Map(PDF, 325KB) - Delivered between February and May 2023 

ROUND 2 

  • Package 5 - Glenmorgan area Map(PDF, 240KB) - Delivered between March and May 2023 
  • Package 6 - Flinton / Westmar / Southwood area Map(PDF, 361KB) - Delivered between February and May 2023 
  • Package 7 - Bungaban area Map(PDF, 206KB) - Delivered between February and March 2023 

Further works packages will be rolled out over coming months.

Council continues to face significant restraints in delivering this substantial package, particularly in relation to securing experienced civil contractors and locally sourced gravel to complete the works. If you are a civil construction contractor interested in assisting, please contact Council to complete an Expression of Interest.

Preparing for future flood events

  • We encourage you to be prepared by following our five steps for preparing for emergencies Be Prepared
  • During a disaster we will provide information on our Disaster Dashboard

 

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Frequently asked questions 

Where is the funding for these flood recovery works coming from?

The flood recovery works is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government under the Disaster Relief and Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). This funding provides disaster relief and recovery payments and infrastructure restoration to help communities recover from the effects of natural disasters and terrorist acts. In Queensland, this program is managed on a whole-of-government basis by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).

Is there funding available to assist with damage that occurred to my property?

An exceptional circumstances package has been released by the QRA and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments to support Queensland communities in recovery from three significant weather events during the 2021-22 Queensland summer.

More information of funding available can be found on the QRA Website.

What repairs can I expect if my road is identified in one of the Flood Damage Restoration Works Packages?

Flood damage restoration works are reliant on external funding, which in most cases only allow for repairs to reinstatement of previous condition.

Where possible, we are working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) to gain additional funding (Betterment Funding) to improve flood resilience. Unfortunately, this is not possible for every road.

What is the difference between emergent works and permanent repairs?

Emergent works are emergency works and immediate reconstruction works that: 

  • happen soon after a disaster
  • involve roads being made safe 
  • restore public access
  • are temporary in nature.

Permanent repair or reconstruction works: 

  • follow the completion of emergent work 
  • require more planning, engineering and design 
  • take longer to complete than emergent works
  • deliver reinstatement to previous condition. 
Why is my road not getting a full gravel re-sheet?
  • Flood recovery works are being completed under set funding arrangements. To obtain this funding, Council has to abide by the prescribed treatment guide for each damaged road.
  • If you are concerned about what treatment your roads is receiving, you are welcome to contact Council and one of our team will assist with your query.
Why have Council officers or contractors visited my road so often prior to construction happening?
  • In order to claim the funding available from QRA to repair our road network, a rigorous damage assessment process is required, including site visits and documenting damage with photos. As a result of this process, you may have noticed Council staff or our Contractors visiting impacted areas to gather this data. 
  • Although this process may be demanding at times given the large amount of damage to our road network, claiming eligible funds is in the best interest of our community. These funds help us recover from the effects of natural disasters.
Why are you replacing a small floodway/culvert on my road with a large expensive floodway/culvert?
  • In some instances, Council must rebuild damaged culverts/floodways to a the latest standard in accordance with Department of Agricultural and Fisheries (DAF) accepted development requirements for operational work that is constructing or raising waterway barrier works (WWBW).
  • Information about WWBW can be found on the DAF website.
How have you decided what is included and what is excluded from flood recovery works?
  • In order to claim funding from QRA to repair our road network an assessment process is required. 
  • If damage to a road asset was not caused by flood damage in the specifically declared events, that damaged asset is not eligible for funding under the Disaster Relief and Recovery Funding Arrangements.
  • Our Works crews are still programming and delivering our regular maintenance works on our roads, as well as completing our planned capital upgrades.

 

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