Mt Emu Creek at Panmure during recent floods.
THE state government has given the Moyne Shire Council more than $1.5 million to aid road repairs from damage sustained in the 2010/2011 floods.
The natural disaster relief funding will repair infrastructure, including multiple Moyne Shire bridges, and reimburse money spent on road surfaces after the summer floods, described as some of the biggest in Victoria’s history.
Council engineering and design manager Leah Johnston said the works had been estimated to cost $1,368,000.
“The total funding through the department will be more than $1.5 million,” Mrs Johnston said. “The council is very grateful to the department for supporting us at this late stage to identify the problems and enable us to have this infrastructure repaired.
“They have also given half of this funding in advance, so the council does not carry a financial burden in carrying out these works.
“The works are fully funded by the government, and will have a positive impact on the council’s bridge infrastructure which was damaged during the floods.”
The government has also reimbursed the council $157,090 after immediate works were undertaken to open up roads when floodwaters cleared.
Works now approved to proceed are:
* Mortlake-Framlingham Road culvert;
* Level two bridge inspections on a large proportion of council bridge infrastructure;
* Periodic bridge works to repair damage identified through the inspection process;
* Major bridge replacement of severely damaged Kents Ford Road bridge.
The council has also completed works on the Panmure diving board and Gapes Road culvert and pavement works, all totalling $64,818.50.
j.pech@standard.fairfax.com.au