Scotland Island Road + Drainage Works Completed
Scotland Island suffered extensive damage from heavy rains and storms in 2022.
On Wednesday, 1 November 2023 the council announced that thanks to $2 million in financial support from the Federal and NSW Governments, it could make additional improvements to Scotland Island’s road and drainage network.
This would also make the network less susceptible to future storm events.
The council stated it welcomed the funding support and thanked both the Federal and NSW Governments for their assistance.
The $2 million grant was awarded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and is delivered through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund.
The Infrastructure Betterment Fund is focused on building back essential public assets including roads and drainage networks impacted by the storm and flood events of 2021 and 2022.
'By rebuilding roads and drainage systems back to a higher standard, we are better prepared for future disasters, and can keep communities connected, reduce the amount of hardship they experience, as well as avoid future reconstruction costs during and after a disaster event.' the council stated then
'Council engineers are currently working on redefining the scope of work to match the grant funding.
It is intended to add this latest betterment funding to the funding already received for storm damage repairs to build greater resilience into the road infrastructure on the island and reduce the high cost of ongoing road maintenance in this remote community.'
Earlier this week the council confirmed a 2-year program of road and drainage works has been met and the council has completed a complex program of upgrades to the island’s roads and drainage system.
'The works will dramatically reduce impacts from storms, protecting private property and giving residents and maintenance crews a smoother – and safer – way to get around.' the council stated
'The infrastructure will also enable Council to refine existing routine maintenance programs.'
Behind the scenes, the project has also been an exercise in planning and logistics, with everything from trucks, excavators and even 2,000 tonnes of road base being brought by barge over Pittwater.
The works include 1,120 metres of sealed roadway with 650 tonnes of asphalt laid and 20 speed humps, 4 passing bays and 6 new retaining walls. Drainage improvements include 800 metres of dish drains, 6 new drainage pits and 8 lintel and grate structures.
Over the entire project, a staggering 500 tonnes of unsuitable and waste material was excavated and responsibly disposed of.
'A special shout out to Island locals and visitors who’ve patiently accommodated disruptions during the works.' the council said
They've also produced this groovy little insight for all those who like to see how these works get done: