Lismore rural residents whose roads have been affected by landslips or other flood-related damage could be waiting months for repairs as the Lismore City Council attempts to access more than $40 million in disaster relief payments.
Roads still subject to closure are Boatharbour Road (culvert collapse), Cawongla Road (landslip), Keerrong Road (landslip), Koonorigan Road (landslip), Oakey Creek Road (culvert washed away) and Suffolk Road off Blue Knob Road (culvert washed way – repairs currently taking place).
The council has asked that residents be patient and assured them that access to Lismore would be available by the end of the day, however for some that meant a much longer trip than usual.
The council is in the process of compiling detailed damage assessments for a disaster relief application to the Commonwealth-State National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Once assessments are finalised in the next three weeks, the NSW Government will need to assess the council’s claim and undertake geotechnical reports before disaster relief funding can be issued.
Lismore mayor Isaac Smith said it was not a process council could speed up, except to ensure that Lismore’s claim was submitted to the NSW Government as soon as possible so the natural disaster funding process could get underway.
‘We understand for some residents this seems like a long time, but disaster recovery is a lengthy and complicated process, and the work must be done right,’ Mayor Isaac Smith said.
‘Some of the landslips we are dealing with are quite serious, and are also very expensive to repair. We are relying on disaster relief in order to complete these works.
He said the council was now in the process of restarting its regular roadworks program.
‘Council’s own resources used during ‘normal’ work hours aren’t eligible to be covered under the natural disaster funding,’ he explained.
‘Using our crews on the regular roadworks schedule and contracting out the flood repairs gives ratepayers the best bang for their buck.
‘Council acknowledges this will be frustrating for some ratepayers, but is ultimately the best outcome for the Lismore Local Government Area.’
For road closure updates, visit www.myroadinfo.com.au.
Tweed roads
Tweed Shire Council’s Director of Engineering David Oxenham said flood debris, slips and mud are being cleared but new hazards are emerging.
‘The heavy rain has damaged the road surface in many areas which means small pot holes and soft edges can quickly become major unexpected hazards, particularly for motorcycle riders and cyclists,’ he said.
‘Vehicles travelling at speed can cause more damage to the road surface so I urge community members to take care for their own safety and the safety of our road crews who are working long hours to repair the damage.’
Council and its contractors this week move their focus from making roads passable and reconnecting isolated communities to starting to restore the roads for safe travel.
The first priority will be to stabilise topside slips, remove rocks and tree debris, clear table drains and any built-up deposits of soil, gravel, shale or bitumen.
Crews also will clean in and around pits, culverts and bridges and record any dangerous slips.
The roads to be worked on first include: Urliup, Hogans, Mt Warning, Tomewin and Garden of Eden, Tyalgum and Tyalgum Creek, Numinbah, Kyogle, Clothiers Creek, Stokers, Reserve Creek, Carool,
Doon Doon and Commissioners Creek roads.
Manns Road at Rowlands Creek and Lone Pine Road at Commissioners Creek remain closed.
‘Council urges all motorists to be prepared for workers on roads throughout the shire and to take extreme care as the soils remain saturated and new landslips cannot be ruled out,’ Mr Oxenham said.
‘Residents can get the latest information on the road network via www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/RoadWorks. The information also is available on www.MyRoadInfo.com.au, together with information from neighbouring shires.
