Pontoons destroyed in monsoon set to be replaced
Date published: 22 January 2020
A project to replace community pontoons destroyed in the 2019 unprecedented monsoon is currently underway.
Townsville City Council has secured $774,711 in joint funding from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Cr Les Walker said the project was in the design stages with the replacement structures designed to current standards, which would improve the resilience of the community assets.
“We had four pontoons in Kelso, Rasmussen and Aitkenvale that were severely damaged during the 2019 monsoon and the funding has been secured to get these replaced,” Cr Walker said.
“The new pontoons are currently being designed and one aspect of this project is ensuring they are more resilient in the event of any future flooding.
“I know the community would have loved to see these back in before summer, but we really wanted to make sure that the new pontoons will last well into the future.”
The project includes replacing the pontoons and repairs to the jetty and fishing platforms.
Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said Council had sought feedback from community sporting groups who use the pontoons.
“We wanted the replacement pontoons to benefit all community users which is why we’re incorporating the feedback from community sporting groups,” Cr Molachino said.
“Once the design and geotechnical investigations are complete, we can begin the construction and installation of the pontoons.”
