17 August, 2022
TRC considers fast-tracking reconstruction works
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will consider fast-tracking more than $6 million of priority flood reconstruction works which have become necessary following the four most recent flooding events.
At the Infrastructure Committee last week, Councillors voted in favour of a recommendation to begin the works, prior to obtaining formal Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) approval.
“Fast-tracking priority flood reconstruction works is the right thing to do for our community. These projects have to be done a.s.a.p. to address a number of severely impacted roads,” TRC Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor said.
“The overall flood reconstruction works will take at least two years to complete due to the substantial damage we’ve experienced throughout the entire Region.
“Our road network has been severely damaged and because of the repeated rain events, we haven’t had an opportunity to commence repairing the network as quickly as we did following previous flood events, such as 2011.
“In saying this, our crews have done an amazing job to date, having completed nearly 5500 temporary emergency repairs since November 2021 and are now moving into the next phase of undertaking priority permanent reconstruction work.”
Council’s Flood Recovery Team has identified priority works in consultation with the QRA as part of its ongoing assessment of the total widespread flood-related damage, which may total more than $100 million in the Toowoomba Region alone.
The priority works include:'
Cudmore Road (Cambooya) - Bitumen spray seal and reconstructing unbound granular pavement totalling $41,100'
Hennessy Road (Cambooya) - grading and material totalling $292,220
Henry Road (Cambooya) - grading costing $171,600
Simpson Road (Finnie) - grading costing $ 83,900
Ted Mengel Road (Nobby) - grading and material totalling $149,700
Preston Boundary Road (Top Camp) - Bitumen spray seal, reconstructing unbound granular pavement and patching totalling $32,400
Nobbs Road (Westbrook) - grading and materials totalling $39,900
As part of the Committee recommendation, Council voted to give the CEO delegated authority to commence reconstruction of essential public assets, prior to formal funding approval from QRA and future budget amendment.
