Council considers fast-tracking more than $6 million of priority flood reconstruction works

As the Region bounces back from four recent flooding events, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will consider fast-tracking more than $6 million of priority flood reconstruction works.

At the Infrastructure Committee on 9 August, 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 asap 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.

“Our Flood Recovery Team is working closely with the QRA to ensure funding for these works can be reimbursed from QRA funding sources at a later date,” Cr Taylor said.

“While it’s important we go through the necessary processes, our community has high expectations for roads being repaired asap and this motion shows we’re prepared to respond accordingly.

“We appreciate this is only the start of permanent reconstruction works as part of our massive recovery program and sincerely thank the community for their continued understanding and patience through this time.”

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 that the budget be amended accordingly at Budget Review 1.

The Committee recommendation will go to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 16 August for endorsement.