Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper recovery update

Council will look to build a bridge at the newly formed creek mouth at Casuarina Street, Holloways Beach.

Hydraulic analysis of the Casuarina St temporary causeway indicates that a bridge will provide better flood immunity that a land-based causeway.

Access road repairs and the construction of the bridge over the newly formed creek mouth are expected to be $25.5 million.

Designs for the bridge are being submitted to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for funding assessment.

Council is also prioritising infrastructure repairs along Barron Gorge Rd; reconstruction of the Fisheries Bridge (temporary pedestrian bridge installed), Lake Morris Rd (expected to be closed for at least six months); and Savanah St, Palm Cove (drainage reconstruction); as well as numerous culvert and drainage structures across the city.

Maintenance and beautification programs are now back on schedule following interruptions caused by the December floods, with resources and personnel redeployed to high priority recovery areas.

James Cook University has been engaged to undertake a rapid social needs assessment (RSNA) to gather information about the community’s short- and medium-term recovery needs.

The RSNA will include a public survey to understand individual- and neighbourhood-level impacts and needs (emotional, financial, physical, material).

It will also inform the Human and Social Subcommittee to identify trends relating to community wellbeing.

The results will inform human and social recovery efforts, including intervention, strategy, investment and advocacy.

A follow up Pulse of the Community survey will be undertaken in approximately six months to measure recovery efforts and inform long-term needs.