NT Govt and Feds pitch in: Focus on flood proofing NT’s key national Hwy network

Improving flood resilience across the Territory’s key national highway network, vital to ensuring food and fuel security for regional and remote communities, is going under the microscope.

A flooded truck on the Barkly Highway, West of Mount Isa

Improving flood resilience across the Territory’s key national highway network, vital to ensuring food and fuel security for regional and remote communities, is about to go under the microscope.

The Northern Territory and Federal governments are pitching in together in a flood resilience study targeting the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly Highways which connect the Territory’s major cities and remote communities.

It is intended that, the study will help future proof the Territory’s main transport links by identifying vulnerabilities and developing strategies to upgrade infrastructure to build resilience.

The Stuart Highway flooded with water just north of Adelaide River - making it dangerous for motorists to pass.

Improving flood resilience across the National Highway network will help disaster proof the Territory keeping critical transport supply chains open, improve road safety, accessibility and reduce economic impacts.

A $2.1 million contract has been awarded to WRM Water & Environment to complete the study.

Territory and federal governments to look at for flood resilience for our main highway connections.Picture: Supplied.

The project will deliver options to upgrade the network, improve flood immunity and climate change resilience. This will include concept options, network priority sections and cost estimates for proposed upgrades.

The study will aim to achieve the following benefits:

o enhanced resilience and adaptation to climate change

o improved road safety and reduced risk

o minimise damage and economic impacts of flooding events

o maintain access to communities and services during flooding events

o improved network efficiency, connectivity and reliability.

The study will include consultation with local authorities, environmental agencies and industry experts.

General Manager Transport and Civil Infrastructure, Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, Claire Brown said the study would provide valuable information on how to minimise the impact of weather events on the National Highway network.

“The National Highway network is a key transport corridor for the Northern Territory. This study will assess the flood immunity and resilience standard of the highway network,” Ms Brown said.

“The study will also develop strategies to enhance the National Highway network and reduce road closures and the impact of flooding in the future.”

Originally published as NT Govt and Feds pitch in: Focus on flood proofing NT’s key national Hwy network