CCF Awards 2008 National
The Licola Jamieson Roads runs through difficult mountain terrain in Victoria’s high country. The road services local farms, the timber industry and is a popular tourist route. In December 2006 major bushfires destroyed all surrounding bush and road infrastructure.
Then in February 2007 a significant flood washed away large areas of roadway and deposited ash, silt and debris along the entire length of the roadway. The impact on local communities and associated commercial operations was catastrophic and the Wellington Shire council, with supportive State Government funding, undertook reinstatement of the road as a matter of urgency.
The concurrent conditions included more than 70 fires across Victoria’s high country, which burned for more than 60 days, and then thunderstorms which caused intense run-off and flash flooding in the Licola area. More than 1,116,408 hectares of land were affected by the fire alone.
The Licola-Jamieson road is an important link between the two towns and provides quick access between north-east Victoria and Gippsland. At the time of the thunderstorm activity the access road was also the primary route for the harvest of fire-damaged hardwood. The road condition meant that with the major road closed for reconstruction, the use of minor roads and their upgrades could not provide for larger vehicles.
To allow for restoration works to start, State Government funding for Wellington Shire Council was necessary in June 2007. With government approval Wellington Council proposed the completion of the works by September 2007.
Heavy rain and flooding of bridges along the Wellington and Macallister rivers cut access to Licola and in six locations from the east. Four bridges were destroyed or at least severely damaged. At the time of the flood earthmoving equipment in the Licola was limited to a single backhoe. Following an initial inspection, McInnes Earthmoving provided the manpower to start emergency works in the Licola area using the backhoe as best they could.
The aim of this crew, in consultation with local residents, was to improve access via a forest track. This road required extensive works to be completed before heavy vehicles could be safely transported.
Despite four declared natural disasters between December 2006 and November 2007, McInnes Earthmoving completed the reinstatement of 45 kms of affected roads maintained by Wellington Shire council in the Licola area between July 2007 and March 2008.
Works included:
- reinstatement of Licola-Jamieson Road that had been damaged/destroyed in 54 locations
- reinstatement/upgrade and maintenance of Target Creek Road to allow for larger vehicles to by-pass the Licola-Jamieson Road
- reinstatement and maintenance of the Barkly Bridge temporary ford crossing to allow for safe access for Glencairn residents until the bridge was replaced
The challenges faced by McInnes Earthmoving included:
- Reconstruction of damaged areas over 15km of the Licola-Jamieson Road with a narrow width of 6m limited the opportunity for vehicle turnaround
- Extreme run off, much greater than expected from simple thunderstorms – erosion a constant concern
- Stabilisation of hillsides and protection of downstream areas from further erosion
- Accessing Licola following flooding
It is estimated that more than 93,500m3 of material was sourced and placed during the works.
Following the four declared natural disasters, the Licola-Jamieson Road was opened to traffic in March 2008, 13 months after it was first closed.
Media release provided by: www.civilcontractors.com