Report on road works

A report into the progress of road restoration and stabilisation projects has been released by Gosford Council's director of city services Mr Stephen Glen.

Projects on Peninsula roads currently been carried out and which are contained in the report include Pearl Beach Dr, Patonga Dr, Woy Woy Rd and Memorial Ave near Blackwall Mt.

A progress report on road projects is required to be provided to council every six months.

Phase one of hazard reduction works along Patonga Dr are currently being carried out by council's contractor Pan Civil and are expected to be completed by the end of the month, according to the report.

The report stated: "Seven of nine stormwater culverts across Pearl Beach Dr were replaced by council staff in September and October 2008.

"The two remaining culverts are to be replaced when several boulders have been stabilised above these work sites, which is part of phase one hazard reduction works.

"These works are expected to be completed by mid-June 2009, and essentially involve works associated with reducing the immediate risk of rock falls and landslips along the cut side of the road.

"The cost of phase one work is expected to be approximately $130,000.

"In addition to National Disaster Mitigation Program funding assistance for phase one works, the RTA has also allocated a further $45,000 through the project toward the remediation of a specific section of embankment.

"Council officers are currently preparing a scope of works for phase two hazard reduction works along Pearl Beach Dr, which will involve further investigation and possible remediation of the road sub-pavement and fill (low) side embankment.

"Phase two works are considered less urgent than the phase one works, but are still necessary.

"Council was recently successful in its application for a further $150,000 from the State and

Federal Governments through the National Disaster Mitigation Program.

"Council must also contribute its one-third share of $75,000, which will then generate a working budget of $225,000 for the proposed phase two works."

Tenders are currently being decided upon for the stage three rock face stabilisation works along the southern side of Mt Ettalong Rd (Patonga Dr) at south Umina between the Umina

Beach car park and the hairpin bend.

The council report said the works would involve scaling, supply and installation of rock bolts, rock fall mesh, shotcrete, rock catch fencing and associated work.

"Council officers are currently awaiting geotechnical assessment of the formation at the western end of Patonga Dr, Patonga, where existing stormwater pipes are to be replaced," the report stated.

"Douglas Partners has advised it will be forwarding this design report shortly.

"Funding of $200,000 is currently available from a combination of National Disaster Mitigation Program and council matching funds.

"A further funding source must be identified to undertake all works likely to be required in the short term."

The report also highlighted the road re-alignment work along Memorial Ave, Ettalong, near Blackwall Mt.

"Memorial Ave, Ettalong Beach, has been re-aligned to the south to minimise the risk to motorists from rocks dislodging from the adjacent Blackwall Mt cliff face," the report stated.

"Associated works included the establishment of a rock fall drop zone, the installation of a concrete new jersey barrier kerb and a two metre high chain wire fence adjacent to the rock fall drop zone.

"Funding for the project was made available through the National Disaster Mitigation Program, the Federal Roads to Recovery Program and the Federal Local Roads (untied) grants."

A section of road at Bulls Hill (Woy Woy Rd) has also been identified in the council's recent progress report on road projects.

Council undertook hazard reduction works which were completed last November at a cost of $158,907.

"That work followed the reconstruction of the fill (low) side of Woy Woy Rd at Bulls Hill after it collapsed in April 2008," the report stated.

"Council is currently deciding upon tenders for the reconstruction of seven stormwater culverts across Woy Woy Rd at Bulls Hill.

"This stormwater reconstruction work was deferred as it would have significantly impacted upon the traffic arrangements implemented whilst the initial road reconstruction and hazard reduction works were carried out in 2008.

"Some design issues associated with the steep nature of the terrain also caused a delay during the design phase.

"In addition to an initial $250,000 funding assistance from the State Government, the Minister for Roads allocated a further $650,000 in late 2008 towards the cost of reconstruction Woy Woy Rd at Bulls Hill.

"Costs incurred on this project to date now exceed $1 million and hence it is anticipated that council will be required to allocate funding to this project.

"Council has also made representations to the Minister for Roads requesting that Woy Woy

Rd be reclassified as a state road.

"The Minister has so far declined council's request."

Council agenda SF.21, 2 Jun 2009