Successive flooding increases Goulburn Mulwaree Council repair bill

Four or more storms have so far caused an estimated $18 million in damage.

Repairs were already underway following up to 100mm in Goulburn and district on December 11 and 12.

But then the heavens opened with a torrential downpour again on January 7 and 8. Longtime observers said they'd never seen rain like it before.

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Council general manager Warwick Bennett said staff estimated between $5m and $7m worth of damage from the last two events. About 70 per cent of the road network, both sealed and unsealed, had been assessed and most had been impacted in some way.

This included structural and road pavement impacts on low-level crossings, scoured road side damage, gravel washed off unsealed surfaces and blocked culverts. This was consistent across the entire LGA.

"This damage to our infrastructure on top of the major flood events over the past two years will be in excess of $18 million worth of damage to Goulburn Mulwaree roads," Mr Bennett said.

The council has qualified for Natural Disaster Assistance funding for heavy rain in February and August, 2020, March, 2021 and again this month.

Mr Bennett said he was grateful to the state government for its "proactive and strong support."

"Our focus is not just on repairing roads, but betterment of the routes so they have improved flood resistance in future," he said.

"We will continue to work closely with Transport for NSW to achieve the best outcome for this community."

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A panel of about six contractors is working its way through a long list of works.

Tarago residents have long complained about the Cullulla Road causeway, which has flooded during heavy rain and cut access.

A council spokesman told The Post in December that the causeway would be replaced with a box culvert. Work was expected to start in March.

All repairs under the Natural Disaster Assistance funding must be completed within two years after the end of the financial year in which it is granted. Transport for NSW firstly assesses the work methods and estimates before allocating the money in individual instalments.

Goulburn received 1049mm of rain last year, well above the average. So far this month, Goulburn Airport has received 140mm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

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