Symal awarded contract to rebuild region after natural disasters
Published on 14 February 2023
Council has resolved to proceed with the appointment of infrastructure and construction group Symal to repair Shoalhaven’s worst landslips triggered by severe weather events in 2022.
Following a rigorous tender process involving Transport for NSW, Public Works and Shoalhaven City Council, Symal will deliver on the package of works to remediate 38 priority landslips based predominantly around Kangaroo Valley.
Drawing on their in-house engineering staff and fleet of civil plant and equipment, Symal will also be recruiting the best local subcontractors to ensure a highly specialised team is ready for mobilisation in March.
Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said there were efficiencies to be gained by having one contractor with the signing of the contract signalling a major milestone on the road to recovery.
“It’s a great relief to have a committed and experienced contractor locked in and gearing up to tackle this enormous task,” said Cr Findley.
“Kangaroo Valley and surrounding communities have been deeply impacted by the two natural disasters that ravaged the Shoalhaven and people are desperate to see action in their townships,” she said.
“Symal has a track record for solving complex engineering challenges and delivering quality infrastructure outcomes. I’m very excited to see them start work.”
Council has provided Symal a schedule of works which prioritises the most urgent landslips. The first roads to be addressed include Bunkers Hill Road in Barrengarry, Woodhill Mountain Road in Woodhill and Burrier Road in Burrier.
Dominic Lucas, Program Manager will be working closely with Symal to ensure the community is kept informed about the works happening in their townships.
“A job of this magnitude means both having the technical skills to get the job done, and also forging strong and authentic relationships with the community,” said Mr Lucas.
“Our contractor’s goal is to return people’s lives to normal through the successful delivery of these works.”
As part of the contract, Symal is producing an engagement plan that sets out the schedule of works and how disruptions and updates will be communicated to the community. Included in the plan will be frequent ‘walk-ins’ where people can meet face-to-face with Council and Symal’s project managers to talk about the works being undertaken.
A community meeting to brief residents about the contract award will be planned for mid-March, with the first round of works to begin in late March 2023 and scheduled to be complete early 2024.
This $24 million project is funded by the Federal Government under the Disaster Recovery Fund.