Extra roads funded under roads to recovery program
A number of tenders have been awarded for works to be undertaken through the Federal Government’s roads to recovery funding program.
And in some cases, where the estimate cost of the works will not absorb the full budget allocation, Baw Baw Shire Council will reallocate the balance funds to other priority road works projects.
Shire chief executive officer Helen Anstis said roads to recovery funding projects had to be identified by council and had to meet strict criteria.
Ms Anstis said in some cases, when the tender costs came back, the cost of the works was less than the money set aside.
“So the balance of funds can be reallocated to other projects on the roads to recovery list,” she said.
“The projects on the list have to meet the very specific criteria for roads to recovery…we have a very long list so it wasn’t a problem to reallocate the funds,” she said.
Ms Anstis said roads to recovery funding was allocated to projects that aimed to make roads safer, including improving safety at intersection or other roadside “furniture” such as safety guards.
In 2014/15, $1.9 million of council’s $10 million roadworks project was funded through the roads to recovery program.
Ms Anstis said council had a list of projects under the program that extended out to 2020 so it was good to allocate leftover funds to some of the projects also on the list.
Council accepted a tender from Sure Constructions for the reconstruction of Old Sale Rd at Brandy Creek for the sum of $305,295. The remainder of the budget for this project will be allocated to the 2015-16 capital reconstruction projects - Bank Place, Drouin and Sutton Street, Warragul.
A tender from Services South East Pty Ltd was accepted for the reconstruction of Old Telegraph Rd at Jindivick for the sum of $226,830 .
The remainder of the budget will be used to reconstruct failed sections of Old Main Jindivick Rd.
Council accepted the schedule of rates tender submitted by Sure Construction of $249,758.10 for road repairs.
A variation to the program will allow the remaining available budget to be used on additional repair works on Darnum-Shady Creek and Sunny Creek Rds, to a total budget expenditure of $516,532.
The council resolution provides for additional pavement repairs to be undertaken on these two roads, based on the competitive prices received as part of council’s procurement process.
This ensures that the total budget of $516,532 previously allocated for this project is expended at these locations.
Council also awarded a tender to Services South East Pty Ltd for localised pavement repairs to the sum of $455,499.45.
The $511,755 remaining in the budget for localised pavement repairs will be used to undertake a new initiative that will repair damaged road pavement on roads identified in the 2016/17 bitumen reseal program.