800kg panels airlifted onto Black Weir as part of monsoon repair
Date published: 19 July 2021
Townsville City Council has successfully completed works on Black Weir to repair damage sustained during the unprecedented 2019 monsoon floods, with large concrete panels being airlifted onto the weir as part of the complex project.
Council contracted local business CivilPlus Constructions to undertake the $150,000 repair project, which was funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education said improvements to the weir would improve water security in the area and provide greater protection against future flooding.
“The Liberal Nationals Government is committed to working with state and territory governments and communities to repair and build back better key infrastructure damaged through natural disasters.”
“Projects funded through the DRFA are designed to help protect communities against future disasters and strengthen regional economies by keeping tradies in work and putting money into local businesses,” Minister McKenzie said.
Infrastructure Services Committee Chairperson Kurt Rehbein said the repair work had put on quite a show for passers-by.
“Council crews identified a number of damaged panels on the lower side of Black Weir after the 2019 event,” Cr Rehbein said.
“The funding provided to Council under the DRFA allowed us to undertake these significant repairs to the Black Weir, which will help minimise erosion thus retaining the structural integrity of the weir the next time there is a significant overflow.
“It was quite an operation to install the new concrete panels, requiring CivilPlus to contract local helicopter service Meridian Helicopters to air-lift the 800kg, 5.4-metre long precast panels into place.
“It’s great that we were able to utilise two local businesses to conduct this specialist work – the whole project had a lot of moving parts to manage and, thanks to their professionalism, it went off without a hitch,” he said.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper welcomed the project, saying it created local jobs and will help to ensure Townsville’s water security.
“The Palaszczuk Government is helping regional Queensland recover, with Townsville benefiting from new investment in Black Weir,” Mr Harper said.
“The unprecedented 2019 monsoon did significant damage to the Black Weir – we’ve partnered with the Commonwealth to deliver funding through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“$150,000 has been allocated to deliver six large concrete panels to repair that damage, with the panels airlifted in.”
