Numurkah Leader
Flood levee designers get the tour
2 min read

THE specialist consultants responsible for one of the most critical phases of the Numurkah Flood Mitigation plan have been given the benefit of local knowledge, with a tour of key sites on the proposed 10 kilometres of levees involved in the design.

Last Thursday, members of the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Implementation Committee  took designers on a tour of sites including the railway bridge, recreation reserve and foot bridge. 

The latest site visit follows drone surveys, as well as surveyors walking the proposed alignment, earlier this year. 

The next part of the process involves significant computer modelling and design testing to confirm the levee works as planned.

Moira Shire General Manager Infrastructure Andrew Close said 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 and provide solutions for traffic movement in and out of the levee area. 

“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,” Mr Close said.

Chair of the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Implementation Committee Cr Kevin Bourke described it as painstaking work, but said a project of this size and importance demands thorough investigation to get the flood protection our communities need.

“The committee has done a lot of background work, and the consultants have done a preliminary alignment study, and today’s walkabout has been an opportunity for us to provide them with local knowledge,” Cr Bourke said.

“One of the major responsibilities for the committee and the consultants is to ensure that the levee doesn’t adversely impact dwellings outside of it, and that has formed part of our discussions today.”

Cr Bourke confirmed that Moira Shire has already made funding provision for its contribution to the project, however with the total 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,” he said.

The first draft of detailed designs for the construction and alignment will be presented to the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Implementation Committee and council by early 2020.