Major flood repairs held off in wait for funding

ALMOST 12 months after the biggest flood the Clarence Valley has seen, there’s still a lot of work to do to repair damaged infra-structure.

Flooding of the Clarence River near the Pacific Hwy.

ALMOST 12 months after the biggest flood the Clarence Valley has seen, there's still a lot of work to do to repair damaged infra-structure.

Disaster recovery funding promised by the NSW Government back in February 2013 has been trickling in, but not nearly fast enough, says Mayor Richie Williamson.

"Because of the amount of major floods we've had in a short period, a lot of the infrastructure is stressed and showing signs of major natural disasters," Mr Williamson said.

"It's taking longer than what I would have hoped but, in saying that, it's a very large claim."

The claim, made back in June 2013, is for a total of $24 million in flood relief funding and is processed by the NSW Department of Public Works.

"We are working with the department and they have been working with us, but it's a process and we are going through that process," he said.

"It's tiresome, slow and frustrating and as soon as the funds are available we'll get on and do the work."

Mr Williamson said he was pleased to see some significant outstanding funding approvals had been made before Christmas.

This will allow for urgent restoration of the levee wall at Lawrence, as well as repairs to the levee at Alipou Creek, with work scheduled to begin on the Lawrence levee on January 20.

"The highest priority projects have got the green light, but I would be more confident if we could get in and do the work before any significant rain comes."

The council's director of works and civil, Troy Anderson said several smaller repair projects had already been undertaken, others were underway and more were planned.

But as to when all the projects earmarked for repairs might be completed, Mr Anderson couldn't provide a date.

He said this was largely because some of the repairs were yet to be approved.

"There are still some approvals outstanding and we are working with them to get it happening," he said.

In November Roads and Maritime Services approved $370,000 to aid in the repairs on Great Marlow Rd and the riverbank.

The Clarence Valley was among 11 local government areas offered financial assistance following two major floods events in the Northern Rivers in early 2013.

The Disaster Relief Recovery scheme is funded jointly by the NSW and Commonwealth governments, providing financial assistance to families, business owners, primary producers and local councils to restore any damage caused by the severe storms and flooding and ease some of the associated burden.

 

Originally published as Major flood repairs held off in wait for funding