More than $600,000 worth of flood mitigation works has begun at Delacombe; with major works at the Doug Dean Reserve underway this week, and projects due to start at Banyule Drive and under the Glenelg Highway later this month.

The contract for the drainage construction works in Banyule Drive and under the Glenelg Highway has been awarded to local company Pipecon Pty Ltd.  Pipes and precast pits have already been ordered to ensure that production and delivery times do not delay the project.

Work is scheduled to commence in late May, with completion in late June. VicRoads has agreed to contribute $85,000 towards the project which has a total cost of approximately $525,000.

Ballarat Mayor, Cr Craig Fletcher said the works would help alleviate flooding problems in an area where some residents had their homes inundated during the February floods.

“Council has worked closely with VicRoads to fast track this project.  We want to ensure that these areas will not be impacted again should winter bring more heavy rain”, Cr Fletcher said.

“Works have also commenced on the Doug Dean Reserve which will see deepening and widening of the existing open drain and other works”.

“This work will significantly reduce localised flooding in the Royale Street/Lumen Christi Primary School precinct, which will be a great relief for residents”, Cr Fletcher said.

Council has also called for tenders for the design and construction of two major pieces of infrastructure that were damaged or destroyed during the February floods: a pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Yarrowee River on Whitehorse Road at Sebastopol; and a major culvert on the Addington-Creswick Road at Ascot.

The cost of both projects will be fully recoverable through State and Federal Government flood damage funding.  Subject to weather, both projects are expected to be completed in mid-July.

The new pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Yarrowee River on Whitehorse Road at Sebastopol is expected to cost around $250,000. It will replace the bridge which was destroyed in the February floods.

The Addington-Creswick Road at Ascot has been closed to traffic because of safety concerns since the February floods.  It’s estimated the cost of the new culvert will be in the vicinity of $350,000