Council votes to mitigate future flood damage on Weir and Reedy Lake Roads

Council voted on an option to upgrade Weir and Reedy Lake Roads at Kirwans Bridge to increase the road pavement height to above flood level at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday April 11, 2023.

The project will upgrade a 2.7 kilometre unsealed gravel section of both Weir and Reedy Lake Roads, between Nagambie/Rushworth Road and Kettles Road, through the construction of a sealed pavement with shoulders.

“We understand this is an important matter for the community as these roads ultimately provide a strategic alternative freight/commuter/tourist route to accessing the Kirwans Bridge community following the bridge’s closure as a result of the October 2022 flooding event,” Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said.

“However, the decision at the Extraordinary Council Meeting was ultimately a matter to determine future flood proofing of Weir and Reedy Lakes Roads – something that will become increasingly necessary and important as we adapt to the ongoing challenges of climate change.

“It’s about ensuring the quality of our roads and ensuring these road upgrades can withstand the effects of major flooding events which we know are far more likely to occur into the future.”

An alternate motion was put forward to continue with the original design, to upgrade the roads, which sought to move ahead with the original tender put out for the works.

At the August 2022 Council Meeting, Council approved to award Contract No 22/23-01 for Weir Road and Reedy Lake Road Upgrade – Nagambie to Seven Creeks Excavations Pty Ltd, after emerging as the successful tenderer following a competitive tender process.

The lumpsum contract was awarded to the contractor for a total sum of $738,070. The project was scheduled to commence in October 2022, however, was delayed due to the incessant rains and following major flood event which instigated the isolation of the Kirwans Bridge community.

“After resolving to proceed with the new flood-proof designs at last night’s meeting, there has been some added costs to the project, however, we know this will ultimately save Council and ratepayers money in the long run,” Cr Binks said.

“This is because we know the original design would have ultimately failed when the area floods in the future.”

This is just the first planned road upgrade projects of many that will ensure our road network can withstand sever weather events into the future. It is the first step in upgrading the route for the Kirwan’s Bridge community into Nagambie.

“We have resolved to make an incredibly important start to future proofing our roads.”

Council has also worked with the Kirwans Bridge community since prior to the October 2022 flooding event on determining a future outcome for the bridge.

The Kirwan’s Bridge Community Panel was established through an EOI process and Council has conducted several meetings with the group since.

You can find all the latest information on Kirwan’s Bridge and read our FAQs at https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/report-finds-kirwans-bridge-structurally-compromised-and-unsafe-for-vehicles/