Detailed design of the Numurkah flood levee is progressing and should see the first draft of detailed designs for the construction and alignment presented to the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Implementation Committee and Council by early 2020.
Moira Shire General Manager Infrastructure Andrew Close said that following council’s adoption of the Numurkah Floodplain Management Study and Plan in May 2018, council engaged specialist consultants to complete one of the most critical phases of the project.
“The Study and Plan identified a proposed alignment for a system of more than 10 kilometres of levees. The consultants have been meticulously surveying, measuring and investigating the on the ground feasibility of this alignment which includes looking at different construction options that can minimise the impact on existing properties, provide solutions for traffic movement in and out of the levee area,” said Mr Close.
Chair of the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Implementation Committee Cr Kevin Bourke said, “This is painstaking work but a project of this size and importance demands thorough investigation so we get the flood protection our communities need.”
Earlier this year the investigations have drone surveys as well as surveyors walking the proposed alignment. Now the process involves significant computer modelling and design testing to confirm the levee works as planned.
“The data, measurements and preferred construction options are currently being collated into a detailed design – which will also provide the first detailed costing and draft construction plans for the levee system,” said Mr Close.
Cr Bourke confirmed that Moira Shire had already made funding provision for its contribution to the project however with the total project costs already estimated at more than $15 million, the project would not move forward without substantial state and federal support and funding.
“This project is expected to cost nearly as much as our annual capital works program for the entire Moira Shire – our ratepayers can’t meet the cost of this project on their own.
“Once we have the detailed designs and costings the next stage will be seeking state and federal government funding support. We know our application will be competing with many similar projects across Australia so we need to get our proposal right,” said Cr Bourke.
