AVAILABLE funding will only enable construction of part of the recommended flood protection levee needed to protect Quambatook from Avoca River flooding.
Three conforming tender prices were all above the funding available for the entire recommended project.
Gannawarra Shire Council has approved the awarding of the contract for the township flood mitigation project to Swan Hill firm, Harril Pty Ltd for $489,738.93.
Shire infrastructure and development director, Geoff Rollinson said that a tender process has been conducted for the construction of two sections of a permanent levee bank adjoining the Avoca River to help protect the town in the event of a 1% Annual Exceedance Probability flood as per the recommendations of the Quambatook Flood Management Plan.
The funding for the project comes from the Natural Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme ($125,000), the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning ($125,000) and a council contribution ($250,000) equating to a project total of $500,000.
Mr Rollinson said that three conforming tenders were all in excess of the funding available for the entire project. A comprehensive evaluation process was conducted and a preferred tenderer selected.
Council officers have used their discretion to reduce the scope of works to only include two sections – Quambatook-Kerang Road to Quambatook–Boort Road and Quambatook–Boort Road to Ninyeunook Road to fit within council’s allocated budget.
Mr Rollinson said that council officers will pursue further funding to complete the remaining sections of the levee as opportunities arise.
Following the flood events of 2010 and 2011, The Minister for Water, Lisa Neville announced funding for the Quambatook plan, to be led by Gannawarra Shire Council in partnership with the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Water Technology was commissioned by council to develop the plan. The objectives of the study were to understand flood behaviour for a range of flood events within the study area and investigate and recommend a number of possible structural and non-structural mitigation measures to reduce future flood risk to the residents of Quambatook in the event of a future 1% Annual Exceedance Probability flood event.
Two other tenders were received for $567,866.92 and $489,738.93 respectively.
Mr Rollinson said that the tender received from Harril Pty Ltd has met the specific criteria outlined in the tender documents and comes within council’s allocated budget.
