The final landslip in a $59 million remediation package is now complete, heralding the end to more than two years of major reconstruction works in the Shoalhaven.
Declared a natural disaster area following severe weather and flooding in March 2022, joint funding by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements has resulted in the remediation of 38 major landslips in Kangaroo Valley and surrounding communities.
The completion of the last landslip on Bunkers Hill Road in Barrengarry signalled the end to major work, putting the local community well on track to recovery.
Construction group Symal carried out the contract to repair the Shoalhaven's 38 worst landslips. The scale of the job is highlighted by the people-power and materials it took to repair the region:
- 1,000 bored concrete piles (7,700 metres drilled total)
- 1.6 km of capping beams formed and poured (capping beams tie the piles together to reduce movement)
- 3,600 cubic metres of concrete (used for piles, capping beams and shotcrete)
- 1,050 soil nails (steel bars used to reinforce slopes)
- 19,500 tonnes of imported quarry product (stone, shale, crushed rock, ballast etc.)
- 225,000 worker hours.
Quotes attributable to Fiona Phillips MP, Member for Gilmore:
"The completion of works will come as a huge relief for local residents.
"I saw firsthand the devastating impact these landslips had on our local communities.
"People were often isolated and had to undergo huge changes to their circumstances just to go about their day-to-day lives.
"I'm really happy to see this final landslip fixed and I thank everyone involved in the repair works."
Quotes attributable to Liza Butler MP, Member for South Coast:
"The amount of improvement work that has been completed will be welcomed by the community, made possible by the $59 million of disaster recovery funding from the Australian and NSW governments.
"The number of physical materials needed to complete this work shows just how large-scale these repairs have been, requiring specialised crews and time to get these improvements right. I would like to thank the community for their patience while this essential work has been carried out."
Quotes attributable to Dr Sarah Kaine MLC, NSW Labor's spokesperson for Kiama:
"The extensive South Coast repair effort reinforces the government's commitment to helping communities rebuild after disasters.
"In the recent NSW Budget we announced $3.3 billion to repair state and local roads in areas impacted by natural disasters across NSW.
"We know there is more work to do to overcome the damage our roads have incurred but we're pleased to be getting on with the job with federal and local governments."
Quotes attributable to Gareth Ward MP, Member for Kiama:
"I have built a career from building and upgrading our local roads and I am extremely pleased that these remediation works are now completed.
"Having raised this matter directly with the State Government and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, I am delighted that Shoalhaven City Council has now completed these works.
"I will continue to work hard with all levels of government to deliver the critical infrastructure and road upgrades our Shoalhaven community deserves.
"I also acknowledge and thank the patience of many local residents who have contacted me with their feedback and concerns."
Quotes attributable to Patricia White, Shoalhaven City Council Mayor:
"There's still plenty of work to be done to recover from consecutive natural disasters, but this package of 38 major landslips was by far the most challenging reconstruction project in recent history.
"The record-breaking rainfall, the terrain, the widespread damage and the risks associated with the landslip works across the region certainly provided a logistical challenge for our geotechnical engineers and work crews/
"The task to fully remediate 38 landslips has been a mammoth undertaking resulting in the delivery of robust and fully remediated roads.
"Today marks an incredible milestone that is testament to the resilience of our community and the dedication of the project team to get the job done."
