04/09/2025
Information from Council
Grain Valley Road at this location is an example of the many roads in the Gunnedah Shire that are damaged every time there is significant rainfall event or flood. Gunnedah Shire Council has repeatedly been hit with the costs of patch up repairs to this road just to keep it open because the State and Commonwealth Government disaster funding does not adequately cover the cost of the works required to repair and prevent similar damage from reoccurring in future rainfall events.
Disappointingly in cases like this, the road is required to be closed for much longer than it otherwise would be if inundation damage was the only damage. Unnecessary additional damage is being caused by vehicles using the road illegally whilst it is closed which means the road cannot safely be reopened even with hazard warning signage in place and needs to remain closed.
Another significant problem Council has continued to face since the repeated flood events of 2022 when this location was initially damaged is the length of time it takes to obtain certainty over natural disaster recovery funding, and that even when some funding is eventually approved, it is not adequate to see issues like this eliminated. This ultimately costs all three tiers of government more in the long run through repeated repairs, and ongoing impacts on those who rely on this road in our local community.
We know a concrete causeway is needed at this location, however Council does not have the funds to enable one to be constructed at this and the many other locations across the Shire that need them. Council needs the funding guidelines changed, and for NSW and Commonwealth Government betterment funding to be unlocked.
Rest assured, Councillors and staff are incredibly frustrated and are advocating for change at every appropriate opportunity. We want to get on with permanent repairs but are currently unable to do so.
You may wish to raise these issues with your Local State and Commonwealth Government MP’s, and the relevant Ministers. The key issues impacting Councils across NSW from being able to do what is needed for their communities to recover from natural disaster events include:
Length of time it takes NSW Government departments to assess Councils applications for funding (in excess of three years). Council only recently received its approved TULG letter to repair this location recently, and costs have increased significantly meaning the work cannot be delivered within the now (very recently) approved budget.
Allowable scope eligible for funding under the DRFA arrangements means betterment to prevent similar future damage from occurring is not eligible. This means repaired locations will be damaged again in future events costing the community, the ratepayer, and both NSW and Commonwealth Government more in the long run.
Project budgets being moderated downwards by NSW Government departments because assessing officers are of the view that Councils claimed costs are too high. This means the funding made available is inadequate to deliver the approved repair scope.
Lack of certainty surrounding funding. This means Councils have to wait until after approval is granted to undertake works (as it is illegal for a Council to incur expenditure without approved budget), or if they do choose to operate illegally to support the recovery effort risk not being eligible for reimbursement. Additionally, even if approval is granted and costs incurred, there is a significant risk that approval will be revoked and money (which Council does not have) will have to be paid back.
Kind Regards
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Ian Wilson Coordinator of Maintenance
Gunnedah Shire Council
PO Box 63 (63 Elgin Street), GUNNEDAH NSW 2380
www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or www.facebook.com/gunnedahshire
I acknowledge the Kamilaroi Aboriginal Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which I live, work and play. I pay my respect to Elders past and present.
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