Project Information Project No. 4218455 April 2015

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Mullins Creek Culvert Upgrade • Investigator Avenue, Cooloola Cove

Summary

Flooding of Mullins Creek on Investigator Avenue frequently isolates the Eastern part of Cooloola

Cove, adversely affecting a large number of residents and some businesses. An upgrade of the

creek crossing to increase its flood immunity has been approved. The project is jointly funded by

Gympie Regional Council and the Queensland Government’s Royalties for the Regions program.

What’s currently there?

The existing 2 cell x 2500mm x 1800mm box culvert gives a flood immunity of less than a 1-in-2

year storm event, resulting in the road being flooded by the creek on a regular basis. In addition to

this, the existing creek banks have scoured from the high velocity flows being conveyed through

the undersized culvert.

What are we proposing to do?

It is proposed that the existing culverts be replaced with a larger structure to achieve:

• a greater level of flood immunity, and

• a reduction in the downstream scouring of the creek banks.

The proposed upgrading to a 3 cell x 3600mm x 2700mm box culvert and minor raising of the road

level will achieve a 1-in-100 year flood immunity whilst ensuring no adverse impacts on flood levels

upstream or downstream of the site. By increasing the size of culvert, this will reduce the velocity

of the creek flows and help minimise the damage to the downstream creek banks.

In addition to the stormwater upgrade, a separate concrete pathway/bikeway will be installed next

to the roadway over the new culverts, vastly improving the ability for pedestrians to safely cross

Mullins Creek. This will allow the construction of a pathway on this section of Investigator Avenue

in the future.

Will the creek be affected during construction?

Some disturbance to the surrounding environment is unavoidable. To ensure this disturbance is

kept to an absolute minimum, Council has collaborated with and gained approval from the

Queensland Government’s Department for Environment and Heritage Protection. Strict controls will

be in place for:

• the extent of tree clearing,

• management of any endangered fauna within and adjacent to the work site,

• water quality, and

Project Information Project No. 4218455 April 2015

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• rehabilitation of the site after works are complete.

Will Investigator Avenue remain open to traffic?

A temporary single lane side track will be used while the new culverts are installed. The sidetrack

will operate under traffic control. This will allow traffic to continue to use this section of Investigator

Avenue during construction with minimal delays.

When will the works begin?

Works are set to start in mid-April 2015 and will be completed by 30 June 2015 (weather

permitting).

Further Information

For more information on this project:

T 1300 307 800

E council@gympie.qld.gov.au

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