Funds reshuffled for Jindivick reserve

Funds allocated to embankment stabilisation works at Kydd Parke Reserve, Jindivick have been redirected into another project.

Council, in consultation with community members, will use almost $100,000 set aside for embankment works for other projects at the reserve.

Councillors were told the funds set aside in last year’s budget were not enough for the recommended embankment works.

Council will reallocate the funds to other projects identified by user groups at the reserve and will seek funding through the Latrobe Valley Authority towards an oval upgrade during this financial year.

A report to council outlined issues relating to the fall of the ground where the oval has been cut into the site, creating an embankment up to 3.2 metres high in some places.

Council was told the embankment exhibited signs of some movement and erosion.

The 2014 rural recreation reserve masterplan identified treatment works to address erosion and safety concerns about the old eroded stairs after receiving engineering advice.

The proposed option to treat the erosion of the embankment through a method called shotcreting. However, officers said advice suggested shotcreting would only address the erosion issues and not any stability concerns.

“As a treatment method shotcreting would be a short-term solution only and potentially more expensive than an alternative retaining wall solution.

“Based on the external engineering advice a longer-term solution to ensure embankment stability, longevity of the site and asset protection has been explored,” the report said.

Officers said an external engineer’s advice was for the construction of a large retaining wall at the reserve. The proposed works involve construction of a retaining wall 160m long between 0.8m and 3.2m high with a concrete spoon drain at the base.

Council engineers deemed the likelihood of the embankment causing a hazard to be unlikely, resulting in a low risk of catastrophic embankment failure.

“Further visual monitoring and inspection of the embankment to assess changes in the bank stability are considered a suitable risk mitigation at this time,” officers said.

Council had already allocated $98,000 to the embankment works. The retaining wall solution was estimated to cost $432,000.

However as a result of the limited budget to complete the required embankment works, these works were placed on hold.

In consultation with user groups at the reserve, it was noted they would like to see the currently allocated funds invested into other projects and capital improvements at the site.

The user groups identified the lack of drainage of the oval (particularly the northern half of the oval) as an alternative project.

User groups suggested that the lack of drainage on the oval can prevent play at the reserve in the early part of the summer season, causing the club to seek alternative venues during that time.

The proposed oval upgrade project, including drainage and surface improvements, is estimated to cost $289,040, and is scheduled in the long term infrastructure plan for delivery in 2021-22.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said council had the opportunity to defer money previously allocated in its capital works budget.

She said after receiving feedback from the community, it was being redirected into a different need.

“It is great that we have been agile in this situation and taken in the feedback received,” she said.

Cr Tricia Jones said it made sense to prioritise these works. She said she supported the application to the Latrobe Valley Authority and hoped the project was successful.