Lismore residents may notice helicopter activity throughout June as 84 flood damaged sites across 25 roads are surveyed. The choppers have advanced imaging technology and will be used to assess and inform the designs of flood-damaged roads.
Lismore City Council says it is harnessing the cutting-edge aerial imaging technology to fast-track critical flood restoration works across the region, after recently receiving Disaster Recovery Funding to design the restoration of these assets using aerial assessments (surveys), which capture extensive data while reducing safety risks for pedestrians near traffic.
Advanced survey methods
In collaboration with Dykman Consulting, a civil engineering firm, Council is adopting advanced survey methods. Rather than relying on traditional, time-intensive ground surveys, a helicopter equipped with state-of-the-art LiDAR technology will be deployed to efficiently survey each damage site.
This high-precision data will feed directly into the design process, enabling tailored solutions that consider both site-specific needs and the broader infrastructure context.
Sophisticated imaging equipment
Helicopters were chosen over drones for their ability to carry sophisticated imaging equipment, including state-of-the-art LiDAR technology, crucial for precise flood restoration designs. They offer greater flight stability and longer operational durations, enabling uninterrupted surveys across multiple sites and speeding up recovery efforts.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg emphasised the significance of this initiative. ‘This work marks an important step in rebuilding Lismore’s road network efficiently and effectively,’ he said.
‘By leveraging innovation, we can deliver more resilient infrastructure, ensuring our community recovers stronger than ever.’
Superior road designs
Council says the result will be superior road designs, delivered rapidly and optimised for efficient construction.
Helicopter flights are scheduled throughout June, flying at an altitude of 850 feet with five passes over each affected road.
A full list of roads included in the survey is available at https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Building-and-planning/Flood-Restoration-Portfolio/Roads-and-bridges/FR-Pavement-Restoration-Package.
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