Damage from severe weather costs Council more than $1m

Redland City Council’s response and repair bill from the severe weather event earlier this year will top more than $1 million.

Mayor Karen Williams said record rainfall of 850mm over 10 days in February and March caused widespread damage across Redlands Coast.

“While we didn’t experience the scale of flooding seen by some of our neighbours, the heavy rain caused damage to many roads on both the mainland and islands, erosion on beaches and in conservation areas, and damage to our parks and other Council assets,” Cr Williams said.

“Our Council crews were amazing, responding quickly when the need arose and prioritising resources to ensure the clean-up and urgent repairs were undertaken as soon as possible for the safety of everyone on Redlands Coast.”

Cr Williams said Council had already spent $1.018 million dealing with the aftermath of the severe weather event three months ago, but that figure would rise as the final repairs were completed.

“While these costs are necessary, they are significant and will have an impact on our bottom line and our financial position moving forward,” she said.

“There was a high volume of debris and potholes on roads, road shoulder damage, some damage from flooded roads around stormwater structures, and scouring and rutting to unsealed gravel roads on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

“There was erosion to beaches at Wellington Point, Raby Bay and on Coochiemudlo Island, and damage to mooring berths at Redland Bay Marina and the rock revetment wall in Aquatic Paradise, Birkdale.

“There was also severe erosion and other water damage to tracks and trails in conservation areas, fallen trees and branches, and minor roof leaks to a few public buildings.

“Some of our parks were impacted by flooding, which required play equipment to be sanitised, sand to be replenished and softfall to be replaced or repaired.”

Cr Williams said Council incurred additional costs when a flooded access road to Council’s normal landfill site in Stapylton meant waste collection trucks had to be diverted to an alternative landfill site for two days.

“Long grass in our parks and open spaces was another by-product of the heavy rainfall, with Council staff and contractors working longer hours and on weekends to cover as much ground as possible,” she said.

“Council was also pleased to support other areas with their flood recovery efforts, including the deployment of 25 officers and 31 contractors with equipment to pick up flood-damaged household items across south Brisbane.”

Cr Williams said the costs associated with the severe weather event also included the mobilisation of the Local Disaster Management Group and associated resources and operational activities.

“This included the provision of sandbags, with more than 18,500 sandbags collected from Council’s Cleveland depot between 23 February and 4 March, and thousands packed on our islands.”