HAMILTON Plains has been a contentious issue in the region for decades, with the road regularly flooding following heavy rains.
The road becomes impassable for traffic meaning residents on the ‘wrong’ side of Hamilton Plains cannot access schools, the hospital or the airport.
But now, something seems to be finally happening, with the Department of Transport and Main Roads issuing a tender application for works to improve flood resilience.
Issued earlier this year, the tender application closed on February 13 and included a requirement to reconstruct the 1.2km stretch of road, including raising the level of the road and installing larger culverts.
The move has been welcomed by Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm, who has been campaigning for years for floodproofing works to happen.
“This project is long overdue and was paused by the previous Labor Government,” Ms Camm, who represents the LNP, said.
“The drainage maintenance [done last year] has held up during the recent weather event and water was able to drain away.
“However, this project will ensure the road access between the beach and Proserpine is all-weather, which is critical for our community, our tourism industry and to access critical health services.”
The $24m project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
The design for construction is complete and essential pre-construction activities are currently underway, including civil infrastructure works that will improve drainage in the road corridor and facilitate the relocation of an existing bore.
Construction is expected to commence mid-2025.
Tender details:
The Hamilton Plains Flood Immunity Upgrade project will improve the flood immunity of Proserpine Shute Harbour Road for the area between the Bruce Highway and Strathdickie Road.
Key features of the project include:
- Reconstruction of approximately 1.2 km two lane, two-way section of Proserpine – Shute Harbour Road from the Bruce Highway to south of the Strathdickie Road intersection
- Raise the level of the road and strengthens its surface to improve flood resilience
- Raise the level of the cane rail track to meet the new Shute Harbour Road level
- Install larger culverts to improve flood capacity
- Widen the road to allow for wide centre line treatment and wider shoulders for on road cyclist use
- Improved table drains to better facilitate drainage.
Tenderers are advised that TMR prequalification levels ‘R3’, A2, and ‘F15’ apply to this tender.
See Qld Govt QTenders.
