7 December 2021
Following a recent series of significant wet weather events across the Southern Downs, the region’s road network has been heavily impacted and Southern Downs Regional Council is firmly focused on navigating an already complex flood recovery and repairs schedule to address damage and keep locals and visitors safe on our roads.
Council crews are working around the clock to stay on top of current and emerging road closures, repairs and assessments as information continually becomes available.
Council’s Director Infrastructure Services Gary Murphy assured the community that the safety of all road users remains an unwavering priority and thanked residents for their patience and cooperation as crews systematically address road repairs on a priority basis.
“Council is responsible for a road network of more than 3,000kms, and given the drought-changing rains, our crews are working to capacity to respond to essential emergency repair works as a priority,” Mr Murphy said.
“The repairs to the network will take time as the current conditions of the roads operationally will not support heavy machinery.
“In utilising our lighter machinery, we will be prioritising our efforts to open and repair roads with the greatest need for public safety and commuter use.
“If the roads in your locality have been effected, please be patient and understand Council is doing everything in its power to signpost, make safe and eventually repair damaged roads.
“The roadmap to fully repair our road network is a multi-layered process with many moving part as we seek to maximise external funding and follow the Queensland Recovery Authority (QRA) processes associated with the joint State-Commonwealth funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
“Council is now in the situation where it has multiple programs of work from events over the last two years as well as the last few months.
“Thanks to QRA for swiftly activating DRFA assistance as a result of these most recent flooding events, so all eligible costs associated with repair and restoration will be covered.
“We are completely appreciative of the community’s patience as Council crews work their way systematically through the backlog of rain and flooding impacts.
“While Council manages the ongoing situation, it encourages the community to keep reporting issues through its MY SDRC App as some road damages may worsened or we are unaware due to the volume of damage across an extensive area.”
Council has engaged additional contractors to assist with repairs and will employ more assistance once repairs are approved.
Council will continue to inform residents of upcoming road work schedules through regular notifications on its Facebook page, website and through the local media.
Both the 2020 and 2021 Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets assistance is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the DRFA.