AFTER decades of discussion about flooding at Hamilton Plains, it appears that action is finally being taken.
The section of Shute Harbour Road that crosses Hamilton Plains, leading to the Bruce Highway, is notorious for being flooded following heavy rain.
At these times, residents of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, and places such as Strathdickie and Sugarloaf, cannot access the airport, the hospital and even their children’s schools.
But now, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised that pre-construction works are being carried out, with construction of the actual Flood Immunity Upgrade expected to commence in mid-2025.
In a statement issued by Transport and Main Roads, a spokesperson said:
‘The Department of Transport and Main Roads is undertaking pre-construction works on Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road, between the Bruce Highway and Strathdickie Road, as part of the Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road, Hamilton Plains Flood Immunity Upgrade project.
‘Pre-construction, or ‘early works’, are activities undertaken in advance of the main construction works, that prepare the work site for construction.
‘The current early works include reshaping of existing drains and civil ground works, in preparation for the relocation of an existing bore, with completion expected by late December 2024.
‘The works are being delivered now to ensure completion ahead of the wet season and in readiness for the start of the new year.
‘Additional early works will then occur early next year, which will involve the relocation of the water bore.
‘These early works are essential to improve drainage in the road corridor and are needed to ready the alignment for construction of the upgrade project.
‘The works will also help realise the full extent of flood immunity improvements for Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road at this location, which will significantly reduce the time of closure period for this section, during flooding events.
‘While these works are located predominantly on land adjacent to Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road, to support site access and ensure a safe environment for all road users, speed restrictions and traffic control are in place with short delays expected at times.
‘During the works, motorists are reminded to observe all warning signs, speed restrictions and traffic control directions when travelling through the work zone.
‘The Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road, Hamilton Plains Flood Immunity Upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
‘A key outcome of this project is to reduce flooding experienced by road users and the community.
‘TMR has undertaken extensive hydraulic modelling as part of the project design. For what is often referred to as a 1 in 10-year flood event, TMR estimates a significant reduction in the Average Annual Time of Submergence (the period of time that a road is inundated) of Hamilton Plains, from 17 hours to less than one hour.
‘This improvement will provide substantial benefits for the community in improving accessibility for commuter, tourism and freight traffic during times of wet weather and flooding, by raising the road levels and increasing culvert capacity to enable flood waters to drain away more easily and quickly.
‘The tender for construction is anticipated to go to market in December 2024, with construction expected to commence in mid-2025.
‘Further details, including delivery timeframes, will be confirmed as the tender process progresses.’
