The contract for Stage 1 of the Lenne Street Drainage Upgrade in Mooroopna was awarded at the March Council Meeting on Tuesday, paving the way for these vital drainage works to commence.
In Summary
- Council has awarded the $834,988.44 contract for Stage 1 of the Lenne Street Drainage Upgrade in Mooroopna to local company Jarvis Delahey Contractors Pty Ltd.
- Works will address critical stormwater drainage issues identified after the October 2022 flood event, aiming to reduce future flood impacts in the area.
- Stage 1 will include enhancements to Smyth Reserve's retention capacity, pavement raising, underground drainage upgrades in Howe Street, and relocation of utilities.
- Extensive community consultation informed the project design, with Stage 1 to be completed this financial year and Stage 2 planned for delivery in 2025/2026.
The contract for $834,988.44 was awarded to local company Jarvis Delahey Contractors Pty Ltd, with works expected to get underway in the coming weeks.
Following the riverine flooding event in Greater Shepparton in October 2022, the Lenne Street area was identified for urgent improvements with a focus on addressing stormwater issues that have affected the community. Council identified improvement opportunities for the existing stormwater drainage network to mitigate the rain event issues in the area during sudden heavy downpours, with the project to be split into two stages for delivery.
Stage 1 works include enhancing the retention capacity of Symth Reserve, raising pavement and upgrading the underground stormwater system in Howe Street, and the relocation of utilities. Works are expected to be completed this financial year.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, acknowledged the importance of the awarding of the contract for Stage 1, stating it was an important step for the Mooroopna community, particularly those in and around the Lenne Street area.
"I remember standing in Lenne Street during the peak of the October 2022 flood and seeing firsthand the impact of the water on houses in and around the area. These residents suffered significantly during this flood event, and subsequent heavy rain events, with the drainage infrastructure unable to cope with these extreme amounts of water which occur in such short periods," he said.'
"Council is extremely proud to award the contract and to see the works get underway."
In getting to this stage, Council conducted multiple consultations with residents in and around Lenne Street, to understand their concerns and hear firsthand their experiences during extreme weather events. During these consultations, Council also discussed the proposed design upgrades and the mitigation strategies included in the upgrade to help alleviate the pressure on the drainage system during such weather events.
Council's Manager Engineering and Assets, Ben Gannon, said the upgrade would take the pressure off the current drainage assets, ensuring water can flow in and around the area and drain away quicker, without sitting stagnant for long periods of time, like it currently does during extreme rain events.
"Stage 1 works will allow us to enhance the retention capacity of Smyth Reserve to allow it to hold more water. It will also see drainage upgrades undertaken in Howe Street to mitigate the current flooding issues," he said.
"We look forward to seeing Stage 1 completed, acknowledging this will be a welcomed upgrade for residents in this area of Mooroopna. The work undertaken by Council to date has ensured the upgrade is the best solution to mitigate the issues and prevent further devastation during heavy rain events."
Cr Paul Wickham, Goulburn River Ward, said the commencement of the drainage upgrade works was a great outcome for the Mooroopna community.
"The upgrade works are a long time coming and I know many residents in and around the Lenne Street area will be relieved to see these works get underway. They are important improvements for the region's drainage," he said.
The full benefit of the drainage upgrade project will be operational once both Stages 1 and 2 are completed. The design and construction for Stage 2 is expected to be completed in the 2025/2026 financial year.
