Joint media release with the Hon Mark Bailey MP
Twenty priority sites on the Gold Coast are being built back better following extensive and severe flooding during the 2021-22 disaster season.
These works are part of a significant reconstruction and betterment works program across the region, jointly funded by the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), which the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is already undertaking.
Key Gold Coast state-controlled roads will be better prepared for future floods and more resilient to future severe weather events, with betterment works that include pavement rehabilitation, concrete batter protection and drainage improvements.
Betterment works will be delivered in conjunction with repairs on:
- Gold Coast-Springbrook Road
- Beechmont Road
- Currumbin Creek-Tomewin Road
- Nerang-Murwillumbah Road
- Beaudesert-Nerang Road
- Tamborine-Oxenford Road
- Currumbin Creek Road
Reconstruction works will be delivered over the next 12 months and include the clean-up and removal of debris, patching and road repairs, repairs to damage caused by scouring and reinstating soil-eroded areas back to pre-event conditions.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the works to repair the roads to a more resilient standard would help minimise subsequent disaster damage and disruptions to the travelling public.
“The series of back-to-back rainfall events the Gold Coast experienced last year resulted in major landslips, embankment failures, road and bridge damage across the state-controlled road network,” Minister Watt said.
“We’re glad to see these significant reconstruction projects underway across the region, and we are doing our part to make sure that those travelling on our roads can do so safely all-year-round.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Mark Bailey MP said Betterment funding of $170 million has been made available across state and local government agencies in Queensland to make resilience improvements to essential public infrastructure damaged during the 2021-22 disaster season.
“These works will mean Gold Coast roads are better able to withstand severe weather events, reducing future impacts on the community and minimising recovery bills when the next disaster strikes,” Minister Bailey said.
“To help reduce the risk of road networks being impacted at this scale in the future, we are investing in widespread drainage improvements to reduce overtopping and protect the road during heavy rainfall, full-width road rehabilitation instead of patching smaller sections of damage and installing concrete batter protection to protect against scouring on shoulders.
“Betterment showcases the strength and results that come from all levels of government working together to improve the resilience of Queensland communities.”
For up-to-date traffic and road condition information, visit the QLDTraffic website at www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.
For more information on the Queensland Betterment Program, visit www.qra.qld.gov.au/betterment.
