Etheridge Shire Council (Queensland) – 2021, 2022, 2023 DRFA Flood Damage Project Management
Project Value: $107M
In response to monsoon and flooding in Northern and Central Queensland from 20 December 2022 to 30 April 2023, the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) were activated for the communities of the Etheridge Shire for a third consecutive time.
Recorded rainfall for this period was 466mm from January 1 to 15 at the Georgetown Airport.
The SHEPHERD Civil and Disaster Recovery Team had only recently concluded project management of restoration works for the 2021 and 2022 events and had just electronically surveyed the completed works with RACAS. Accordingly, SHEPHERD was able to mobilise to site quickly which was critical to the success of this project.
Project Deliverables:
- Pre-Event Road Condition Survey using RACAS
- Engineering assessment of flood damage of entire road and culvert network
- Submission Building and Lodgement
- Emergent Works administration
- Contract Administration
- Contract Superintendent
- Project Management of Restoration Works
- Quality Assurance with Civil Inspectors
- Claim Management including close out and Acquittal
- Asset Accountant
- Gravel Supply technical assistance including lodgement of Gravel Pit/Quarry applications
Proven Results for the 2023 event from RACAS and flood damage pickup in January through to all submissions approved by QRA in September include:
- Total Claim Value: $67,238,546.12
- Total Approved Value: $61,142,522.73
- 1,046km Treatments Approved
Furthermore by utilising RACAS within the DRFA Flood Recovery Pickup Process, Etheridge Shire Council was able to unlock a wealth of data-driven opportunities including:
- Data-Driven Maintenance Plans: With RACAS, Council was able to formulate maintenance plans based on comprehensive data gathered during the flood recovery process. Identifying vulnerable areas and assessing critical assets empowering Council to proactively plan for ongoing maintenance, enhancing infrastructure resilience.
- Optimised Maintenance/Capital Programs: The amalgamation of RACAS data with SHEPHERD’s expertise enabled Council to optimise maintenance and capital programs. Data-driven decision-making facilitates prioritisation of projects based on real needs, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
- Accurate Asset Valuations: Through RACAS-driven assessments, Council can gain accurate asset valuations essential for financial planning, insurance purposes, and long-term infrastructure management.
- Insightful Condition Assessments: RACAS enhances the flood recovery pickup process by providing valuable insights into asset conditions post-disaster. This empowered Council to devise proactive strategies for restoring essential public assets.
Bulloo Shire Council (Queensland) – 2021, 2022, 2023 DRFA Flood Damage Project Management
Project Value: $25M
In response to its 2021 Flood Event, Council opted to internally project manage delivery of reconstruction works. However, the project was not initially managed within QRA guidelines or to required specifications which resulted in the quality of work suffering. Council faced the risk funding being rejected by the State Authority.
The SHEPHERD Civil and Disaster Recovery Team was engaged to provide expert Project Management of delivery of work. Negotiations were held with state authority to ensure practical win/win solutions.
Our onsite inspectors ensured quality of work and correct treatments were being achieved.
Monthly Scheduling and reporting to Council as well as Progress Reporting to State Authority ensured open communication throughout the project.
Benefits to Client:
- Closing out projects as soon as they are completed to ensure correct acquittal process was followed.
- Maximised the approved funding returned to Council.
- Easy oversight of project progression to instil renewed confidence in the Project.
Continuing a successful working relationship, SHEPHERD was engaged by Bulloo Shire Council for subsequent flood events in 2022 and 2023 to provide the following project deliverables:
- Pre-Event Road Condition Survey using RACAS
- Engineering assessment of flood damage of entire road and culvert network
- Submission Building and Lodgement
- Emergent Works administration
- Contract Administration
- Contract Superintendent
- Project Management of Restoration Works
- Quality Assurance with Civil Inspectors
- Claim Management including close out and Acquittal
- Asset Accountant
Lachlan Shire Council (New South Wales) 2022 – Flood Damage Assessment and DRFA Submission Building
Project Value: $60M
In response to its October 2022 flood event, Lachlan Shire Council engaged SHEPHERD to undertake Flood Damage Assessment and build the DRFA submissions Building.
Project deliverables included:
- Pre-Event Road Condition Survey using RACAS
- Engineering assessment of flood damage of entire 4,000km road network
- Submission Building and Lodgement
- Emergent Works Claim
- Asset Accountant
Driving asset excellence, our Civil and Disaster Recovery Team are onsite assisting the City of Greater Bendigo with an engineering inspection and damage assessment following storms and flooding that commenced Christmas Eve 2023.
Understanding that time is critical, our team mobilised to site in one day and have engaged additional staff locally to bolster an efficient pick-up.
To maximise available funding, we are using our RACAS® technology to accurately capture damage to the region’s 3,000km sealed and unsealed road network. We are also manually inspecting culverts and have adapted to using Council’s own in-house inspection platform Konect.
By providing a true indication of the damage created, we can deliver the best result for Council and see roads restored as quickly as possible for the community.
Driving asset excellence, our Civil and Disaster Recovery and RACAS® teams have successfully assisted Cassowary Coast Regional Council to be the first Council in North Queensland to make a Disaster Recovery Funding submission to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority in the wake of TC Jasper.
SHEPHERD had boots on the ground within days of the major flood event that impacted nine local government areas over the Christmas period last year.
Within twelve days, our RACAS® Team had collected evidence of damage on all accessible flood affected roads. Using proven GIS enabled field technology our Civil and Disaster Recovery Inspectors have already collected 30% of the network, assessing the extensive damage to road and stormwater assets.
Given the extent of this event, being the first through the gate with a submission gives Council the best chance of opening roads sooner and helping the local community and industries get back on track.
