26 March 2025
Southern Downs Regional Council will balance the delivery of joint Commonwealth and state-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) flood recovery road works from the January 2024 event along with its ongoing routine road maintenance program by appointing two external contractors to assist in the implementation of the $13M flood recovery project.
Council recently resolved to engage an external civil contractor for flood repairs to unsealed roads for approximately $5.8M and an external project management company to oversee the overall flood recovery program and ensure compliance funding guidelines.
Importantly, the appointment of external contractors will allow Council to deliver the balance of the recovery project, as well as deliver essential routine maintenance and the capital works program across the region.
Mayor Melissa Hamilton said the tenders would accelerate recovery and build resilience across the northern region, while allowing Council crews to stay on top of maintaining the region’s extensive road network.
“The scale of the damage from the floods brought on by Tropical Cyclone Kirrily in early 2024 was significant, with widespread impacts on local communities and the agricultural sector,” Mayor Hamilton said.
“While emergent works addressed immediate safety risks, this next phase of recovery works is aimed at restoring our roads to a more future flood resilient standard.
“Securing these tenders will fast-track much-needed repairs for our rural communities, and we are very grateful to the Australian and Queensland governments as well as the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for this essential DRFA funding which reduces the financial burden on our residents by saving ratepayers from footing the $13M estimated repair bill.”
All works will be completed by 30 June 2026 to meet funding requirements.
This project is part of Council’s commitment to restoring the Southern Downs’ essential road network to a safe and reliable standard as soon as possible.
Last edited date 26 Mar 2025