REBUILDING the regions most damaged roads caused by this year’s flooding and storms will cost $15 million and take up to two years.
The landslide at Hovard Road, Bald Knob, is considered the most complex of the repair jobs and is expected to cost about $5 million and won’t be completed until 2024.
Sunshine Coast Council said today it had completed its assessment of the impact of a series of major landslips caused by recent weather events.
The hinterland was smashed by flooding rain and storms in February, March and May with the worst affected areas being Bald Knob, Wootha (west of Maleny), Glenview, Eudlo, Coolum, Peachester, Montville and Towen Mountain.
The cost of rebuilding the most damaged roads is estimated at $15 million and could take up to two years with highest priority being given to those with the most significant impact, Mayor Mark Jamieson said.
Mr Jamieson said recovery and rectification works have started and would continue for some time.
“At the time of the severe weather events, council crews closed roads for our community’s safety, with recovery from these severe weather events continuing for a long time after the immediate threat passes,” Mayor Jamieson said.
Geotechnical assessments have identified 12 major landslip sites that require engineered solutions and funding support.
Funding assistance will be provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The 12 major landslip sites across our region include:
- Policeman Spur Road, Wootha
- Bald Knob Road, Bald Knob
- Leeding Road, Glenview
- Perrins Road, Eudlo
- First Bay, Coolum
- River Road, Peachester
- Narrows Road, Montville
- Towen Mountain Road, Towen Mountain
- Hovard Road – Slip 1, Bald Knob
- Hovard Road – Slip 2, Bald Knob
- Tanawha Tourist Drive, Tanawha
- Old Maleny Road, Landsborough
Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston thanked the community for their patience while council carried out the necessary works and secured the necessary funding.
“Some roads have been closed or reduced to single lane access, based on preliminary reports about road stability,” Cr Johnston said.
“While this is inconvenient, the road closures are necessary for the safety of residents and road users.
“The landslide at Hovard Road, Bald Knob has closed off the thoroughfare, and I’m eager to see repair works start soon to help minimise the impact on Bald Knob residents and surrounding communities.
“Landslip repair works include removing soil and vegetation debris, constructing mass block retaining walls, buried pile and beam walls, drainage works, road reconstruction and stabilising sloped hillsides.
“Design works have started for this job which will be a vastly complex construction project which is estimated to cost $5 million and one that is unlikely to be completed until 2024.
“We are liaising with the affected local residents, and we are providing as much information as we can to keep the community informed throughout the construction works.”
