2022 Natural Disaster Reconstruction Works

3/4/2024 - Announcement: Reconstruction projects to repair 38 major landslips and damaged infrastructure from the impacts of three (3) natural disasters during 2022 are surging to completion. Bunkers Hill Rd (5), Burrier Rd (5), Foremans Rd (2), and Wattamolla Rd (3) are the final four (4) roads of 15 nearing completion and being fully restored. 

13/2/2024 - Repair works for severely damaged southern Shoalhaven roads begin early in 2024. Major landslip reconstruction works continue on Bunkers Hill Rd, Burrier Rd, Foremans Rd, Mount Scanzi Rd, Upper Kangaroo River Rd, Wattamolla Rd, and Woodhill Mtn Rd through to completion early mid 2024. For current works program see: Related Documents - Lookahead Program 13 February 2024

2/1/7/2024 to 12/2/2024 – The updated three-week Lookahead program was released each week by contractor, Symal, and published on this page weekly under ‘Related Information’.

21/7/2023 to 22/12/2023 – The updated three-week Lookahead program was released each week by contractor, Symal, and published on this page by council weekly, under ‘Related Information’.

20/07/2023 - See Major Landslip Package Program update - V4 July in Related Documents.

23/06/2023 - See Major Landslip Package Program update - V3 22 June 2023' in Related Documents. 

21/06/2023 - See Construction Program Remediation - Multiple slips - update in Related Documents.

28/04/2023 - With high rainfall predicted, Council staff will be actively inspecting road conditions on the weekend. This is consistent with the adopted Trigger Action Response Plan to ascertain the stability of roads and the need for temporary road closures. Details on the TARP can be found in the Project FAQ under road closures.

17/04/2023 - Due to delays in the procurement and delivery of special hot rolled steel channel product from South Australia, the commencement date for landslip repair work along Upper Kangaroo River Rd will be delayed by two weeks. Repair work will now commence on Monday 1st May. Completion date for Upper Kangaroo River Rd and the proposed commencement dates on all other roads remain unchanged.

03/03/2023 - The latest construction program proposed by the contractor Symal for the 38 the Major Landslip repair work has been released and is available in the related documents on this page.

21/02/2023 - As previously reported, Council resolved on 15 February 2023 to proceed with the appointment of infrastructure and construction group Symal to repair the 38 major landslips affecting 15 of Shoalhaven Council’s roads. Council has provided Symal a schedule of works which prioritises the most urgent landslips with the first round of works expected to begin in late March 2023.

This week Council project management team will be meeting with the contractor to confirm planned dates when individual landslip repairs will commence. This project master page and the 15 individual roadworks pages will be updated to provide the planned commencement dates for the 38 landslip repairs as soon as these dates are confirmed. You can view the list of major landslips and the assigned construction priorities by clicking on the heading 'major landslip package priorities' below. 

14/02/2023 - Contract awarded - Council has resolved to proceed with the appointment of infrastructure and construction group Symal to repair the 38 major landslips. Council has provided Symal a schedule of works which prioritises the most urgent landslips with the first round of works to begin in late March 2023. To view the list of major landslips and the assigned construction priorities, refer to the major landslip package priorities below.

22/12/2022 - Four tenders for the repair of 38 landslips were received. A comprehensive evaluation process has been completed and a recommendation has been forwarded to Public Work Advisory (PWA) for endorsement. It is anticipated that PWA will evaluate the tender acceptance report and respond to Council mid-January.

15/12/2022 - Tender Process for the Landslip packages is progressing well.

The current status of the Landslip Tender is as follows;

• Council has received four bids in the tender box.
• Non-price evaluation is complete with promising proposals from experienced contractors.
• Price evaluation is nearing completion with final checks and balances being considered for each submission.
• Project references and financial checks on each of the bidders is currently underway.
• After the above checks, direct discussions with preferred tenderers will be undertaken.
• Based upon evaluation to date we are confident that the tender process will result in an award of the works.
• From review of the submissions both options A and B as per Councils strategy are real possibilities under consideration.
• Prior to the Christmas break the evaluation team is confident that the process will be complete with reports sent for endorsement.

31/10/2022 - The investigation, design and construction of the initial 38 high priority major landslip repairs impacting roads is a large undertaking and planning for this major program of work is well underway.

Geo-technical consultants, SLR Consulting P/L, have been engaged to undertake the detailed investigation and design of the landslip repair work of the 38 high priority sites. The investigation and drilling work is now complete as well as the environmental due diligence assessment and preliminary cost estimates. Design work has now reached 85%.

With assistance from the NSW Public Works Advisory, tender documents for the 38 high priority works were completed and issued for public tender on 31 October 2022 and closed on 6 December 2022. 

eTendering - Current Tender Detail View - RFT-10053781 (nsw.gov.au) 

The extensive tender evaluation process is likely to take several weeks depending on the quantity and quality of the tenders submitted. Prior to Council accepting any tender, Council has an obligation to seek final endorsement from the NSW Public Works Advisory regarding the preferred tender, as well as endorsement from TfNSW who approves the final scope of work, the allocation of Natural Disaster funds and verifies compliance with the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.

Allowing for the Christmas shutdown period, a tender for the 38 major land slip repair work is likely to be accepted in late January 2023 which will allow Council to enter into a construction contract.

Depending on the time it takes for the contractor to mobilise equipment, staff and to procure materials it is now most likely repair will commence in March 2023.

Significant progress updates on the project have been recorded in the form of the following Council ordinary meeting reports:

• Council Report - 31 October 2022 (CL22.578) Progress Update - Infrastructure Recovery Works
• Council Report - 6 June 2022 (CL22.247) Progress Update - Infrastructure Recovery Works

The following roads have strict load limits imposed for public safety:

The imposed road load limits at various slip sites have been confirmed by Council’s geotechnical consultants by applying slope stability analysis.

A slope stability analysis considers vehicle loads, geology, soil conditions and road embankment slopes to derive a factor of safety against further embankment collapse.

For more information on how load limits are assessed:

• Load Limit Assessment Methodology - Road Damage - Storm / Flood Damage October 2022

Vehicle Weight Limit Exemption Application

Council road management staff will consider requests for an exemption to a load limit at a landslip site, and this can be done by downloading and completing the Load Limit Exemption Application Form.

Any consideration of a temporary load limit exemption would be on a risk assessment of slope stability undertaken by Council’s geotechnical consultant.

Please note: Allow at least ten (10) business days for this application to be processed.

Council uses a 'Trigger Action Response Plan' (TARP) to assess and manage when to close a road for public safety. The TARP assists Council to manage existing and historical land slip sites based on predicted rainfall events.

Roads currently affected due to landslips can deteriorate and slip further after additional heavy rainfall. Council has trigger points when deciding to close a road to all traffic for safety reasons:

Please note: Due to the unpredictable nature of landslip hazards, in most cases it is not possible to give advance notice of a road closure before a road closure is implemented.

Council understands the impact that a road closure can have on residents and the community, and only implements such measures in the face of imminent risk to public safety.

To get a live update on traffic conditions, please visit Live Traffic NSW:

Go to Live Traffic NSW

During 2022, three (3) severe weather events were declared natural disasters by the NSW Government:

• NSW severe weather and flooding from 22 February 2022 onwards (AGRN 1012)
• NSW severe weather and flooding from 27 June 2022 onwards (AGRN 1025)
• NSW severe weather and flooding from 14 September 2022 onwards (AGRN 1034)

To learn more about declared disasters, Australian Government Reference Numbers and how to seek assistance with disaster recovery, please go to the natural disaster reconstruction works parent project page.

This follows two summers of La Niña weather patterns with a third La Niña expected to bring more heavy rainfall and flooding over the 2022-23 summer period.

The impacts on public infrastructure were significant, including:

• 1200 records of damage and emergency works across the Shoalhaven
• an estimated $75 million in damaged roads
• an estimated $4 million in damage to flood levees
• 98 landslips (38 classified as major) affecting 23 roads
• 13 sinkholes

The estimated cost to repair the damage is nearly four (4) times the value of Council's normal infrastructure budget. To respond to this challenge, Council has set up a dedicated natural disaster reconstruction team to focus on the repair work.

Please note: The hub is closed from Friday 22 December and re-opens on Thursday 11 January 2024. The Recovery Team will be on leave from 22 December 2023, returning 2 January 2024.

Where: The Lounge, Ulladulla Civic Centre, 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla

When: 10:30am - 4:00pm every Thursday and Friday from 11 January onwards.

If you have been affected by the recent storm and flooding event and are seeking assistance or support, please give us a call or drop in to the HUB.

The Recovery Team are available on (02) 4429 5888 Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Come along and enjoy a cuppa and a chat. We are here to listen. Just talking to someone can make a difference.

Additional support

Remember during this holiday break you are not alone, support is available.

Details of assistance available can be found at Service NSW, or call 13 77 88 to discuss your circumstances.

For payments, grants and programs for people affected by floods, bushfires and other natural disasters in NSW visit: 

• Financial support after a natural disaster - Service NSW 

If you need someone to talk to over the holiday break, reach out to Lifeline's 24/7 support line on 13 11 14  or visit Lifeline's website.