More than $4 million in repairs are being rapidly rolled out across one region in response to widespread road damage caused by severe weather.
Noosa councillors, at a special meeting last week, granted CEO Larry Sengstock the power to execute the necessary contracts so the works can be completed swiftly.
The repairs are being paid for under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements made available by the state government.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said the damage bill from the western Queensland surface trough and associated rainfall and flooding event in the weeks following Tropical Cyclone Alfred was substantial, with more than 70 roads and creek crossings in need of immediate fixing.
“Delegating CEO Larry Sengstock the power to award the necessary grant-funded contracts without coming back to a full council meeting for approval each time will ensure we can act quickly to expedite repairs,” he said.
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Mayor Wilkie said the scope of works included pothole and scouring repairs to the shire’s asphalt road network, gravel road grading, debris removal, including drain and creek crossing clearing, and culvert reconstruction.
The work includes key hinterland roads such as Cooroy Mountain Road, Upper Pinbarren Creek Road and various tracks on the Noosa North Shore.
“We’re looking at an estimated $4 million repair bill in immediate repairs with the bulk of that – over $2.7 million – to be spent on road repairs,” he said.
“The team is also simultaneously assessing more significant damage that requires detailed design and repairs – these will be separately reported to council, with the next steps and program for more enduring repairs.
“In terms of the immediate repair works, our staff are in contact with a range of contractors seeking quotes for the work required so they’re ready to go following today’s decision to have the CEO drive the recovery work.”
CEO Larry Sengstock said the council would make every effort to deliver the work as efficiently as possible.
“As always, we’ll be making every effort possible to minimise the disruption to our community and we appreciate residents’ and motorists’ patience while contractors complete this important work over the next six weeks,” he said.
For details about work projects under way across the shire, visit the works in progress section of the council’s website at noosa.qld.gov.au/wip.
