Gunnedah Shire Council has already undertaken more than $2.2 million in flood restoration works this financial year, the Council has revealed.
The Shire, like many others throughout NSW, sustained millions of dollars worth of damage to its road network in last year’s flood events.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services, Jeremy Bartlett said Council was continuing to progress its Flood Restoration Road Maintenance Program.
“Our three maintenance grading crews, two construction crews and contractors, where available, are working to restore the Shire’s 1615km network that includes 145km of State Roads,” Mr Bartlett said.
“Significant emergency works have already been undertaken at Orange Grove Bridge, Grain Valley Road causeway, Goolhi Road, and Clifton Road causeways.
“Unfortunately, repeated flood events and roads are not a good mix. As well as the existing problems, damage sometimes continues under the surface of the roads for some time after the flood event, and it can take some time before the full extent of the damage is apparent and known.”
Transport for NSW administers the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. They administer the rules in place regarding funding, including reviewing Council-submitted solutions and designs for Essential Public Asset Restoration, Mr Bartlett said.
“We are working with consulting engineers and contractors to accelerate the repair process. Where there is large-scale damage, designs for the work must be approved by Transport for New South Wales before they can be implemented, or the costs of the works may not be reimbursed to Council. The process for this can take some time,” he said.
“We know delays caused by closures, roadworks and damaged roads are frustrating, and we ask for your patience while we continue to work towards getting our road network back in good shape.”
