*HAVE YOUR SAY - RIVERVIEW DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION
Riverview Drive in Berri, from Clarke Road through to Martin Bend Drive, suffered damage as a direct response to building a precautionary earthen levee during the 2022/23 River Murray flood.
The 2022/23 River Murray flood was the second largest flood in 152 years. At the peak of the flood in late December 2022, the water reached 16.7 metres AHD (Australian Height Datum) in the vicinity of Riverview Drive. At this level, the water did not engage with the levee. However, the levee was required to a minor extent in order to provide freeboard (a gap to account for wave action).
Since the flood, the levee has been removed and Riverview Drive has been reopened to traffic. The road currently comprises a bitumen lane and a road base lane, meaning the speed limit has been restricted to 25 kilometres per hour.
Option 1 - RECONSTRUCTION
- A like for like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, as it was prior to the flood.
Option 2 - ENHANCEMENT
- A like for like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, as it was prior to the flood.
- Plus a 500 millimetre lift on the existing road height.
Option 3 - UPGRADE
- A like for like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, as it was prior to the flood.
- Plus a 500 millimetre lift on the existing road height
- Plus the addition of a walking/bike trail.
How is this project being funded?
Option 1 - RECONSTRUCTION
- A like for like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, as it was prior to the flood.
- Total cost = approximately $860,000
Funding Breakdown: $860,000:
- The South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) would contribute approximately 70% of the like for like reconstruction cost, which is approximately $600,000.
- Council would fund $250,000 from an existing Riverview Drive capital project.
- Council would fund $10,000 from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) (the remaining $280,000 of the LRCIP can be used for other roads and infrastructure)
Option 1 has no funding shortfall.
Option 2 - ENHANCEMENT
- A like for like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, as it was prior to the flood.
- Plus a 500 millimetre lift on the existing road height.
- Total cost = approximately $1,600,000
Funding Breakdown for the $1,600,000:
$860,000 for the like for like component:
- DTF would contribute approximately 70% of the like for like reconstruction cost, which is approximately $600,000.
- Council would fund $250,000 from an existing Riverview Drive capital project.
- Council would fund $10,000 from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP).
$740,000 for the 500 millimetre lift ‘betterment component’:
- DTF may choose to fund 50% of the 500 millimetre betterment component, being $370,000.
- Council would fund an additional $280,000 from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP).
Option 2 leaves a funding shortfall of between $90,000 and $460,000 depending on whether DTF chooses to fund the betterment component. This shortfall would need to either be funded by additional Council revenue or future grants (currently unsecured).
Option 3 - UPGRADE
- A like for like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, as it was prior to the flood.
- Plus a 500 millimetre lift on the existing road height.
- Plus the addition of a walking/bike trail.
- Total cost = approximately $2,400,000
Funding Breakdown: $2,400,00
$860,000 for the like for like component:
- DTF would contribute approximately 70% of the like for like reconstruction cost, which is approximately $600,000.
- Council would fund $250,000 from an existing Riverview Drive capital project.
- Council would fund $10,000 from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP).
$740,000 for the 500 millimetre lift ‘betterment’ component:
- DTF may choose to fund 50% of the 500 millimetre betterment component, being $370,000.
- Council would fund an additional $280,000 from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP).
$800,000 for the walking/bike trail component:
- Council has not budgeted for these works and there would be no DTF contribution, meaning this component is completely unfunded.
Option 3 leaves a funding shortfall of between $890,000 and $1,260,000 depending on whether DTF choses to fund the betterment component. This shortfall would need to either be funded by additional Council revenue or future grants (currently unsecured).
Summary
Option | Scope | Total cost | Funding Confirmed | Potential Additional Funding Sources | Funding Shortfall | Timeframe |
Option 1
Reconstruction | A like for like reconstruction | $860,000 | DTF = $600,000 Council = $260,000 Total Confirmed = $860,000 | No additional funding required | No funding shortfall | Can commence immediately |
Option 2
Enhancement | A like for like reconstruction Plus a 500mm lift | $1,600,000 | DTF = $600,000 Council = $540,000 Total Confirmed = $1,140,000 | DTF Betterment = $370,000 | Between $90,000 and $460,000 | Unknown |
Option 3
Upgrade | A like for like reconstruction Plus a 500mm lift Plus a walking/bike track | $2,400,000 | DTF = $600,000 Council = $540,000 Total Confirmed = $1,140,000 | DTF Betterment = $370,000 | Between $890,000 and $1,260,000 | Unknown |
Next Steps
Council has asked for public feedback to be sought through a public consultation process with the Berri Barmera community.
The engagement period will be open to the public for 21 days. All submissions will then be compiled and presented to Council.
Project Contact:
Comments/submissions on the proposed options may be made in writing to the Council and must be submitted by no later than 5.00pm on Friday 31 May 2024, with written submissions marked as follows
“Public Consultation – Riverview Drive Reconstruction”
Chief Executive Officer
Berri Barmera Council
PO Box 229
BERRI SA 5343
or email to bbb@bbc.sa.gov.au marked “Public Consultation – Riverview Drive Reconstruction” or delivered to the Berri Barmera Council, 5 Riverview Drive, Berri.
Alternatively, you can click here and complete an on-line submission.
Option 1 - RECONSTRUCTION:
Advantages
- The project is ‘shovel ready’ and can proceed almost immediately.
- The project is cost effective and available funds are sufficient.
- Surplus LRCIP funds can be utilised on other needed roads in the Council area.
- Modern road building standards mean that even a like for like road reconstruction would naturally incorporate a small lift and the leaking substrate would be replaced.
Disadvantages
- For future floods equal to or larger than the 2022/23 River Murray flood, a levee would need to be built.
Option 2 - ENHANCEMENT:
Advantages
- With the 500 millimetre lift, this will protect adjacent properties from flood events equal to or slightly greater than the 2022/23 River Murray flood.
Disadvantages:
- It is unknown as to whether DTF would or would not fund the betterment component.
- It is unknown how long the process will take to confirm the betterment funding, therefore the project cannot proceed immediately.
- There is a funding shortfall of at least $90,000, which could rise to $460,000, depending on whether DTF fund the betterment component.
- Given the unknown time frames, a temporary reseal may be required, which would cost an additional $180,000.
Option 3 – UPGRADE:
Advantages
- With the 500 millimetre lift, this will protect adjacent properties from flood events equal to or slightly greater than the 2022/23 River Murray flood.
- Includes a walking/bike trail to provide improved pedestrian connectivity.
Disadvantages
- It is unknown as to whether DTF would or would not fund the betterment component.
- It is unknown how long the process will take to confirm the betterment funding, therefore the project cannot proceed immediately.
- The walking/bike trail will cost $800,000 and is completely unfunded.
- There is a funding shortfall of at least $890,000, which could rise to $1,260,000, depending on whether DTF fund the betterment component.
- Given the unknown time frames, a temporary reseal may be required, which would cost an additional $180,000.
Option 1 - RECONSTRUCTION
The project is shovel ready and can proceed almost immediately. The work will take approximately nine months.
Option 2 - ENHANCEMENT
The time frame is unknown and depends on whether DTF recognise the 500 millimetre lift component of the project as a betterment element for 50% funding.
If DTF does fund the betterment element, a funding source for the shortfall of $90,000 will need to be determined, which is likely to add to project time frames.
Option 3 - UPGRADE
The time frame is unknown and depends on whether DTF recognise the 500 millimetre lift component of the project as a betterment element for 50% funding.
If DTF does fund the betterment element, a funding source for the shortfall of $890,000 will need to be determined, which is likely to add to project time frames.
Why has it taken Council so long to look at this road?
In response to resident requests, and to look at betterment as part of the rebuild, various designs have required to be scoped and costed. The sourcing of potential funds and obtaining correct information on funding available from multiple sources, has taken considerable time.
If the levee wasn’t engaged, why was there water on the dry side of Riverview Drive?
There was seepage under Riverview Drive due to poor substrate (road base). This will be rectified with any of the above options.
What was the difference between the 1956 and the 2022 flood in height in this area?
See the aerial image below:
If Council chose Option 1, would the road be a sufficient barrier for a future similar sized flood or would further levee work need to be undertaken?
The 2022/23 River Murray Flood was particularly large and was the second largest flood in 152 years. If a similar size flood to the 2022/23 River Murray Flood were to occur, it is probable that the like for like option would suffice. Modern road building standards mean that even a like for like road reconstruction would naturally incorporate a small lift and the leaking substrate would be replaced. If a larger flood was expected, a higher levee could be built prior to the flood, as occurred in 2022. It is important to note that the State Government covered most levee building costs prior to the 2022/2023 River Murray Flood.
If Council chose Option 2 or 3, what will happen to the road while further funding is secured?
As the timeframes are unknown, it is proposed that all the bitumen affected is removed, the road is graded and a temporary bitumen seal is laid that would be suitable for slow vehicle traffic. This would cost an additional $180,000.
If Council chose Option 1, when would it be completed by?
Should Option 1 be chosen, works will be completed in approximately nine months.
If Council chose Option 2 or 3, when would it be completed by?
It is not possible to answer this question with any certainty. It would be dependent on the DTF decision making processes in regard to betterment funding.
Whilst betterment funding comes from the State Government, it is ultimately provided by the Federal Government. Betterment funding is available to all areas of Australia for repair and rebuilding of assets and can be used for natural disasters (including flood, fire etc). Our funding stream from the government, both Federal and State Government relies heavily on their assessment of our betterment needs against all others in the nation and is not guaranteed.