Mildura Rural City Council is steadily working through the mammoth task of assessing, cleaning up and rectifying flood-impacted roads and community assets across the municipality now that river levels have receded.
There were almost 60 Council-managed roads impacted by the flood event, stretching from the Nangiloc-Colignan area through to Lake Cullulleraine.
Hundreds of community assets such as public toilets, parks and other infrastructure were also impacted, including prominent public areas such as Nowingi Place, the Water Play Park and the Off Leash Dog Park.
Councillor for Infrastructure and Assets Glenn Milne said while there was still a significant amount of work required to open up all roads and facilities, Council now has a much clearer idea of potential timelines for several areas and roads.
"We certainly understand the community's eagerness to get back to normal as soon as possible, whether it be residents wishing to once again enjoy public spaces and facilities, or access roads for business or pleasure," Cr Milne said.
"Over the past week alone our teams have opened up more than six previously flood-impacted roads.
"It's great to be in a position to now provide some sense of when our community can expect to access certain roads and facilities, and our teams will be able to provide more information as they continue this work."
While Council's website at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/flood will continue to be updated as roads and facilities reopen and is designed to be our community's main source of updates, some of the locations, facilities and roads we do have firmer estimates on are listed below.
Public Spaces
Nowingi Place
Current status: Water has receded, allowing the start of reinstatement of electrical and sewer/septic systems over the next two weeks.
Estimated reopening: Week starting Monday 20 February. While the events toilets will be open, public toilets near the Ornamental Lakes are still six to eight weeks from opening pending the arrival of required supplies.
Rio Vista Off Leash Dog Park
Current status: Awaiting availability of required contractor to reinstate fencing.
Estimated reopening: Week starting Monday 27 February.
Apex Park
Current status: Clean-up of facilities is underway ahead of reinstatement of electrical, sewer and drainage services in the next week.
Estimated reopening: Week starting Monday 20 February.
Roads
Etiwanda Avenue – from 29 Etiwanda Avenue to 15-18 Etiwanda Avenue
Current status: Pavement cleaning and safety defects currently being removed.
Estimated reopening: Friday night, 3 February.
Karadoc Avenue – from First Street to the Nichols Point Cemetery entrance
Current status: Removal of a section of levee and safety defects.
Estimated reopening: Week starting Monday 13 February.
Riverfront crusher dust footpath between the George Chaffey Bridge and Nowingi Place
Current status: Grading works and removal of safety defects.
Estimated reopening: Friday night 3 February.
Crusher dust footpath from Lock 11 to Apex Park
Current status: Grading works and removal of safety defects to be undertaken.
Estimated reopening: Following completion of footpath between George Chaffey Bridge and Nowingi Place.
Cureton Avenue – from 341 Cureton Avenue to Apex Park
Current status: Work to start week of Monday 13 February to clean pavement and remove safety defects.
Estimated reopening: Week starting Monday 20 February
Kulkyne Way at Nangiloc (Department of Transport and Planning road)
Current status: Work to start week of Monday 6 February on removal of sandbag levees.
Estimated reopening: To be confirmed.
Ranfurly Way (Department of Transport and Planning road)
Current status: Patching, pavement cleaning and removing safety defects.
Estimated reopening: Mid-February, weather permitting. Some sections may be under traffic direction.
