Flood resilience high on the agenda in 2024 for Southern Downs Regional Council

Mother Nature’s relentless flooding events across the Southern Downs has seen major damage to the region’s roads, with residents and farmers to soon see some reprieve. Full details here.

Southern Downs roads have borne the brunt of major flooding events in recent years, forcing their closure for extended periods of time.

In a bid to continue flood resilience initiatives across the region, Southern Downs Regional Council has secured new federal and state funding to prevent future flood events impact on roads.

Major works have already begun on Connells Bridge Rd, which saw significant closure periods and suffered significant damage from flood events from 2020-2022.

Later this month works will also begin on the $2.3m Wheatvale Plains Rd project to be finalised by June 2024.

Southern Downs Regional Council chief executive Dave Burgess said the $2.3m project is a significant investment in building flood resilience, improving road safety and preparing for future wet weather events.

Major flooding events on the Southern Downs have had a significant impact on Wheatvale Plains Rd, which is about to receive a $2.3m upgrade. Photo: SDRC Media

“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,” Mr Burges said.

“Both Connells Bridge Rd and Wheatvale Plains Rd 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.”

The existing sealed bridge approaches at Connells Bridge Rd are to be replaced with concrete pavements, with Wheatvale Plains Rd to be lowered through the floodway north of Blacksoil Lane.

Connells Bridge Rd on the Southern Downs is set to get a major upgrade after suffering significant damage during the 2020-2022 floods. Photo: SDRC Media

The Wheatvale project will additionally see the road replaced with a foam bitumen pavement with concrete and rock erosion edge protection.

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 close for the duration of the project with traffic to be temporarily detoured via Blacksoil Lane.

Connells Bridge Rd remains closed, with Wheatvale Plains Rd closing this week.