Dalby workforce saves Western Downs Regional Council $50m in flood recovery costs

Western Downs Regional Council say they have saved $50m in flood repair costs with 94 per cent of work completed by local residents.

Western Downs Regional Council has nearly completed recover work from flooding in late 2024. Photo: David Martinelli.

Western Downs Regional Council is nearing completion of the largest flood recovery programs in Queensland with 94 per cent of the work completed by local contractors

Costing an eye watering $167m, the flood damage program restored roads and infrastructure impacted from multiple flooding events in 2021/2022.

Works included repairs of drainage structures, gravel re-sheeting and patching, grading, table drain maintenance, and pavement and bitumen sealed roads.

Around 1.5 million tonnes of locally sourced gravel was laid during the program on around 2600km of roads equating to nearly 60 per cent of council’s unsealed gravel roads.

Western Downs Regional Council mayor Andrew Smith said it was important repairs were completed by local workforces.

“Through a proactive and practical approach Council’s Infrastructure Services team analysed and divided the program into localised works packages to maximise cost efficiencies, quality and delivery,” he said in a council press release.

“The program was divided into 43 unsealed road works packages, eight sealed road works packages, five drainage work packages and nine unsealed road gravel supply packages.

“This approach allowed council to engage local contractors to deliver program packages simultaneously.

“As a result, council delivered the full program of flood recovery works to restore the roads to their pre-existing condition while using local contractors and materials to ensure most of the funding stayed in our region.”

Western Downs Regional Council infrastructure services general manager Graham Cook said using local workers had saved council millions.

“The method of engagement with local contractors in the market and the use of local materials has meant council has been able to deliver this program around $50m under the recognised funding,” Mr Cook said.

Originally published as Dalby workforce saves Western Downs Regional Council $50m in flood recovery costs