28 March 2024
Ongoing flood resilience initiatives continue across the region to mitigate the impact of future flood events and enhance road safety, with major works underway on Connells Bridge Road and upcoming works to commence on Wheatvale Plains Road after Easter.
Council has been successful in receiving funding from the following programs in order to successfully execute these proactive upgrades:
• Australian and Queensland Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
• Australian Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program
• Australian Government Roads To Recovery Program
Council’s Chief Executive Officer Dave Burges said the Wheatvale project is a significant investment in building flood resilience, improving road safety and preparing for future wet weather events.
“The region’s vast road network sustained significant damage from multiple flood events in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and Council has worked methodically to carry out emergency repairs and long-term flood resilience works,” Mr Burges said.
“Navigating the complexities of multiple events has been arduous but Council has remained committed to building better, safer roads and working with the relevant recovery authorities to seek external funding and minimise the cost of works to ratepayers.
“Both Connells Bridge Road and Wheatvale Plains Road are susceptible to prolonged closures during floods and they sustained major damage in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 events which left the roads closed for multiple weeks.
“As these roads provide essential access for local farmers, producers and residents, the impact of the road closures was felt across the community.
“Works are expected to be completed by June 2024 and we look forward to a more flood resilient future for Wheatvale.”
Leader of The Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the crucial works would offer long-term benefits for the region.
“The Southern Downs community showed incredible resilience during flood events from 2020 to 2022 and these vital works will go a long way to repairing key roads for the region,” Mr Littleproud said.
“It gives me great pride to have helped secure the federal funds to make these projects a reality and I look forward to seeing the positive long-term impacts they will have for the community.”
The roads will be closed for the duration of the project and traffic will be temporarily detoured via Blacksoil Lane. Regular inspections and maintenance of the gravel road will be undertaken, and motorists are reminded to drive to conditions. Connells Bridge Road is currently closed and Wheatvale Plains Road will close after Easter.
What works will be undertaken?
• The existing sealed bridge approaches at Connells Bridge Road will be replaced with concrete pavements.
• Wheatvale Plains Road will be lowered through the floodway located just north of Blacksoil Lane and replaced with a foam bitumen pavement with concrete and rock erosion edge protection.
Last edited date 02 Apr 2024