Council teams-up with Backtrack for flood safety

Flood gates are being installed across eight Dumaresq Creek causeways to improve safety during flooding events through improved visibility and larger and more prominent signage as well as simpler operation providing greater efficiencies for council staff.

Like many cities, Armidale was established near a reliable watercourse, later named Dumaresq Creek. The city is divided by the Dumaresq Creek Floodplain and access across the creek is via causeways or bridges.

Low impact flooding can be a common occurrence particularly over the last 12 months with above average rainfall. 

Chief Officer Assets and Services Alex Manners says closures in the past across flooded causeways were managed with portable barriers that could easily be avoided by motorists doing the wrong thing.

“The new flood gates manufactured and installed by the Backtrack team provide a permanent solution to managing flooded causeways along the Dumaresq Creek,” said Mr Manners

“The gates will stop people from attempting to bypass the barrier and enter a flooded area, but also provide a simpler and more efficient system for staff when closing and opening the causeways.”

Council called for quotations to construct and install 16 flood gates and the youth organisation Backtrack were successful.

Works Operations Manager for Backtrack Graeme McLean said the project was a great fit for the youth program.

“This project has been fantastic for the Backtrack youth to use the skills that they have been taught like welding, traffic control, excavating with the mini digger, measuring, cutting and fabricating the gates.” The eight gates will be installed at:

•         Taylor Street •         Faulkner Street •         Beardy Street •         Niagara Street •         Dangar Street •         Two in Dumaresq Street 

Published on 23 Jun 2022