It’s what the community expects, what council promised and we need to make sure it happens.’
Deputy Mayor Cr Gail Godwin Smith, Chair of Central Highlands Regional Council Infrastructure and Finance Standing Committee, is adamant that, despite a number of logistical obstacles, the flood mitigation excavation of the Nogoa River should proceed without further delay.
Committee members were presented with a comprehensive project update at the meeting on 14 June that sparked a lengthy debate about contract management options.
‘The intent of the former council, particularly following the personal interviews we conducted with people directly affected by the levee issue, was to manage the whole project as a simple civil works contract using small to medium local business operators,’ Cr Godwin Smith explained.
‘We still feel strongly about doing so, but as the scope of the project has developed, the budget has increased and there are some environmental plus state and federal government funding conditions that impel us to split the sites and manage them independently in the need for expediency.
‘Our decision today is to deliver sites 2,3,10 and 11 through one open tender contract. The good news is that the preferred contractor is a local company that council feels confident can complete this part of the project to its rigorous expectations given the environmental sensitivity of the area.
‘We intend to pursue additional funding from within our own budget and the Queensland and Australian Governments for the remaining sites and then we’ll give consideration to managing the contracts under a panel of local providers arrangement.
‘I’d describe the decision as a compromise, but one we feel is in the best interests of ensuring this important flood mitigation work is completed without risk to funding and environmental approvals, and before the next wet season is upon us.
‘It’s timely to reiterate that the excavation of the Nogoa River is just one component of council’s flood mitigation plan, which includes the levee business case investigation, and advocacy for the modification of the Vince Lester and Queensland Rail bridge,’ Cr Godwin Smith concluded.