Buried disaster under council streets exposed

3 days ago 10

A century-old stormwater drain collapse has exposed a multibillion-dollar infrastructure crisis lurking beneath Aussie streets - threatening homeowners and property values.

Billions of dollars worth of upcoming replacement work is buried under council streets and pavements. Picture: Alan Barber

The hand-built brick drain, dating back to the 1800s, has lasted more than a century thanks to “excellent workmanship at the time,” local mayor Greg Williamson said. Now it needs extensive repairs that could leave the street torn up for months - and is just one of billions of dollars’ worth of underground infrastructure flagged for repair across the state.

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Replacement issues around rehabilitating 1.1km of historic drains in this area highlight the challenge facing councils across the country. Source: Mackay Regional Council

“This handmade stormwater drain has held up for more than a century, but now it needs some attention — there are considerable signs of deterioration,” Mr Williamson said.

The collapse is just the tip of the iceberg with a recent report from the Local Government Association of Queensland revealing almost 70 councils were managing a $178 billion asset base - much of it underground, out of sight and ageing dramatically.

Stormwater systems alone would cost about $50 billion to replace - second only to roads. Water and wastewater systems add another $51 billion.

Across Queensland, 41 per cent of water and wastewater assets were rated in fair or poor condition last year, with $19 billion classified as poor overall.

It found around $5.6 billion of wastewater systems were already in poor condition, while $6.5 billion of drainage systems fail on function and $6.7 billion lack capacity.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson is facing a tricky balance between maintaining historic infrastructure underground and ensuring it is fit for purpose with future population densities and extreme weather. Picture:Michaela Harlow

“Many networks, particularly in older suburbs and towns, are under-designed for current rainfall patterns and urban densities,” the report said.

“Urban infill, higher impervious surface areas and more frequent extreme weather events have led to frequent localised flooding and pollution run-off.”

For Mr Williamson, who heads up the Mackay Regional Council, balancing the historic nature of the drains with urgent repairs was the tricky part.

“It is a wonderful local historical artefact, and the work needs to be done now to preserve this important piece of heritage and ensure we can continue to use this fully functioning drain,” he said.

Disruptions are expected to locals for six months to ensure this project is effectively delivered, but other major works take much longer especially in urban centres.

Specialist water and pipeline contractor Interflow will deliver the three-stage upgrades from April, but council project manager Georgie Thomas warned the scope could change as the project progresses.

“We expect works to take at least six months, but this will depend on the state of the infrastructure when we get in there,” he said.

“There is a considerable amount of debris to remove, so despite inspections before construction, we might need to change our approach once we have more visibility.”

Residents can expect changed traffic conditions, reduced on-street parking, and lower speed limits for at least six months as rehabilitation works to 1.1km of stormwater line take place.