All 384 sites damaged on the Gold Coast and surrounds during Cyclone Debbie have been repaired.
The Palaszczuk Government this week completed major repairs to severe landslips on Nerang–Murwillumbah Road, marking the completion of a major road reconstruction program following Cyclone Debbie.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey thanked Transport and Main Roads staff and contractors who worked across all 384 sites to restore full access for residents, businesses and visitors.
“Significant damage caused by heavy rainfall following the cyclone, combined with the area’s mountainous terrain, made repair works complex requiring a methodical and well-planned approach,” Mr Bailey said.
“I want to acknowledge the community and local businesses for their patience while these important works were undertaken.
“While most of reconstruction works were finished last year, ground conditions on some projects including Nerang–Murwillumbah Road extended timeframes to get the best long-term result possible.”
Initial emergency works made Nerang–Murwillumbah Road safe for traffic then extensive excavation was required to remove landslip and loose rocks from the slope face.
The slope face was then stabilised with revegetation and matting to prevent scouring.
“Due to the size of the major slip site stretching many metres above the road, a four to six-metre high fence nearly 90 metres long had to be constructed to stop rocks and debris falling onto the road,” Mr Bailey said.
“A 140-metre piled retaining wall, made of 60 concrete piles each 1.2 metres in diameter with around 100 supporting ground anchors from the top of the wall, was installed before the road pavement could be fully reconstructed.
“Ground conditions increased the time to safely and effectively install these piles and ground anchors for the wall.”
The reconstruction program across the South Coast Region included repairs to 244 earthworks and batter locations, 83 structures and 6.2km of damaged road surface, as well as clearing silt and debris at 44 locations.
Eligible reconstruction works will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Some additional complementary works to improve safety were funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP).
Cyclone Debbie reconstruction works across the South Coast Region included:
- Beaudesert–Nerang Road
- Beaudesert–Beenleigh Road
- Beechmont Road
- Binna Burra Road
- Boonah–Rathdowney Road
Camp Cable Road
- Carneys Creek Road
- Cunningham Highway
- Gold Coast–Springbrook Road
- Hinze Dam Road
- Lake Moogerah Road
- Lamington National Park Road
- Mount Alford Road
- Mount Lindesay Highway
- Nerang–Murwillumbah Road
- Oxenford–Coomera Gorge Road
- Pacific Motorway Pine Creek Road
- Running Creek Road
- Springbrook Road
- Tamborine Mountain Road
- Tamborine–Oxenford Road
- Tomewin Mountain Road
- Waterford–Tamborine Road
