Kalimna Stage 2 is the final stage in a catchment scale flood mitigation program to reduce property impact downstream. The works planned include laying large detention pipes in King George Reserve which will impact access to the reserve for up to 12 weeks.

Why are we doing these works?

The works are part of a catchment scale drainage improvement program focused on reducing the impact of flooding on homes in the catchment. Stage one works have been completed and stage two will realise the full benefit of the flood mitigation and storage detention works.

The improvement works aims to manage the ongoing risk of identified flood impact on people’s homes and ensure that the speed and depth of overland flows are safe. Runoff from the reserve and the surrounding school increases the risk of flooding to homes downstream.

The works are high risk with large infrastructure on a constrained site. The intention is to deliver the work as quickly as possible.

Why are the works being done now?

The works are being delivered as soon as possible from the initial program taking into account the compounding delays caused by COVID.

Whilst the works were intended to be delivered in late 2021, significant delays to the drainage improvement program saw the contractor delayed during the construction shut down period on all jobs, the supply of the pipes limited nationally and on-site services needing to be relocated and contingent on other authorities.

The contractor has now secured the pipes and the workforce needed is in a position to begin the works.

Pausing the works would have two key impacts. A cost to the community through contractual penalties and increased storage and transport costs. Further, there is a real and increasing risk with pipe supply.

Secondly, the risk to downstream properties would remain an increase heading into the winter period.

With a multi-use site, there is never a perfect time to cause some disruption given the peak times of the many clubs and community groups using the reserve.

What are we doing about it?

We have committed to working with all stakeholders on-site to support the continued operation of their activities. Whilst access is limited, there is no impact on the capacity to run the operations of the clubs on site.

As the works are delivered across multiple stages, access will be available at certain times. Council will actively work with the clubs and other user groups on-site to communicate this. Traffic management will be provided at peak times to assist users of the Reserves. Weekend access when the site is shut down will be provided where possible.

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