Strathbogie Shire Council has voted to raise and seal Weir and Reedy Lake Rds at Kirwans Bridge above the flood level.
The roads have been the only access points from the community of 100 homes into Nagambie since the closure of Kirwans Bridge to traffic after October’s floods.
The 2.7km unsealed gravel section of both Weir and Reedy Lake Rds between Nagambie-Rushworth Rd and Kettels Rd will be raised by about 1.8m.
“We understand this is an important matter for the community, as these roads ultimately provide a strategic alternative freight/commuter/tourist route to accessing the Kirwans Bridge community following the bridge’s closure as a result of the October 2022 flooding event,” Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Laura Binks said.
“However, the decision at the extraordinary council meeting was ultimately a matter to determine future flood-proofing of Weir and Reedy Lake Rds — something that will become increasingly necessary and important as we adapt to the ongoing challenges of climate change.
“It’s about ensuring the quality of our roads and ensuring these road upgrades can withstand the effects of major flooding events, which we know are far more likely to occur into the future.”
Council had originally issued a tender for upgrading the road to Seven Creeks Excavations Pty Ltd for $738,070 in August 2022, with construction due to begin just as flooding arrived in October.
The original tender did not include raising the road, which Cr Binks acknowledged would elevate costs but “will ultimately save council and ratepayers money in the long run”.
Cr Binks said it was the first step in upgrading the route for the Kirwans Bridge community into Nagambie.
Council is awaiting a report into the bridge’s future, which would set out costs on rebuilding and repairing the existing bridge.
The bridge was found to be structurally unsound by its insurer, council said last month.
The Kirwans Bridge community met earlier in April and has demanded council reopen the bridge or fast-track solutions to help ensure people have quick access to Nagambie.