Riverview Drive reconstruction expanded

Published 27th September 2024

The entire flood-damaged section of Riverview Drive is set to be repaired as a single project, with additional grant funding enabling Council to expand the scope of the works at no further cost to ratepayers.

The initial scope was for a like-for-like reconstruction – as chosen through public consultation earlier this year – of Riverview Drive from Clarke Road to Martin’s Bend Drive.
However, at last night’s meeting, Council expanded the project to include an additional 1.2km of works from Martin’s Bend Drive to Fenwick Road.
Berri Barmera Council CEO Tim Pfeiffer said while the additional 1.2km of road was less damaged, recent detailed analysis determined it also required extensive reconstruction works.
“It is frustrating that Riverview Drive is yet to be completed,” he said.
“However, it’s important that we do this reconstruction right and council’s decision will ensure that occurs.
“Undertaking the like-for-like reconstruction of Riverview Drive, from Clarke Road all the way through to Fenwick Road, will enable a consistent approach is taken.”
Riverview Drive suffered damage as a direct response to a precautionary earth levee constructed during the 2022/23 River Murray flood.
Council received an additional $450,000 from the Federal Government’s Special Local Roads Program (SLRP) to supplement funds for work on Riverview Drive.
The project will also receive up to 70 per cent of funds from the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance as part of the South Australian Government’s Local Government Disaster Recovery Assistance Arrangements.
The remainder of the project will be funded through Council’s $250,000 Riverview Drive capital project allocation. Following last night’s decision, the Riverview Drive project will now go to tender.
“We thank the community for its patience and adhering to the speed restrictions on Riverview Drive,” Mr Pfeiffer said.
“We are committed to repairing Riverview Drive correctly and at minimal cost to council.”
Earlier this year, Council received 99 submissions as part of public consultation to seek the community’s preferred reconstruction design of Riverview Drive. Over half of respondents indicated a preference for a like-for-like reconstruction of Riverview Drive.