Following Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Cassowary Coast Regional Council engaged SHEPHERD to rapidly assess and restore its extensive road and drainage network. With the event striking just before Council’s planned annual shutdown, SHEPHERD provided immediate, structured recovery support when internal resources were stretched.
The Challenge
With widespread damage expected and limited capacity to respond internally, Council needed a partner that could mobilise quickly, assess impact at scale, and manage a complex, multi-stage recovery program. Cassowary Coast is also one of the wettest regions in Australia, which added challenges around access, construction sequencing, and delivery timelines.
The Solution
SHEPHERD delivered end-to-end program support across assessment, delivery, governance, and acquittal. Our scope included:
- In-field damage assessments across 1,200 km of sealed and unsealed roads
- Inspection of 3,650 culverts and multiple landslip sites
- Make-safe coordination and long-term remediation planning
- Preparation and submission of DRFA funding applications
- Procurement support and contractor engagement guidance
- Superintendent’s Representative services and civil quality inspections
- Stakeholder engagement and liaison with QRA and other agencies
- Close-out reporting and audit-ready documentation
More than 300,000 tonnes of gravel were sourced locally to support these works, requiring careful coordination with local quarry operators and suppliers.
What We Did Differently and Why It Mattered
SHEPHERD embedded closely with Council teams from day one, creating clear communication pathways and enabling agile, aligned decision-making. Our program approach integrated DRFA reconstruction with Council’s capital works program, creating delivery efficiencies and greater value for money.
Despite extreme weather and material supply constraints, reconstruction works progressed across multiple sites and were completed ahead of the 2025/26 wet season. The result is a safer, more resilient road network and a stronger internal recovery capability within Council.
Delivered in Partnership
Thank you to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council team for their commitment and collaboration throughout a challenging recovery effort. Together, we restored essential infrastructure, supported local economic activity, and built greater regional resilience in one of the country’s most rainfall-affected areas.
