1 June 2018

Gunnedah Shire Council’s multi-million dollar works to reduce the impact of flooding from Blackjack Creek is complete and has come in significantly under budget.

The Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation Project commenced in November 2017, with works undertaken by Daracon Group Gunnedah. Council was successful with a grant from the Office of Environment and Heritage for the $3.2 million development. The project was finalised in May 2018, and was under budget by more than $200,000.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Development and Planning Carolyn Hunt said the project was a recommendation of the Blackjack Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2010 to ensure one-in-100 year flood events are contained and surrounding properties are protected.

“The Blackjack Creek channel reconstruction is the culmination of years of investigation, consultation, surveying, planning and design,” Mrs Hunt said.

“The project involved creating channel banks and deepening; widening and the realignment of 1.9 kilometres of Blackjack Creek, between McCalls Road and Oxley Highway, to increase capacity. It also included the installation of storm water pipes under Wandobah Road, and associated road works, as well as the removal and replanting of trees in the area.”

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor Gae Swain thanked the Flood Mitigation Working Group for its commitment to the project.

“There has been a huge amount of work go into this project over a number of years and it is wonderful to see the finished product come in under budget and I commend everyone, both current and past, involved,” Cr Swain said.

Moving forward, it is Gunnedah Shire Council’s intention to seek funding to initiate a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan review to assess flood prone land maps.

Blackjack Creek Aerial Photography - 7 November 2017  |  Blackjack Creek Aerial Photography - 9 May 2018

Photo Caption: Daracon Group Construction Manager Adam King, Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Development and Planning Carolyn Hunt, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain and Office of Environment and Heritage Senior Floodplain Officer Ivan Rivas Acosta.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.