ENGINEERING SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES REPORT – MONTH ENDING SEPTEMBER 2010

Author: DIRECTOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

Purpose To review Engineering Services Department highlights and significant issues for the month ending September 2010.

Background and Discussion Highlights and Significant Issues for period are as follows: -

ENGINEERING SERVICES MANAGEMENT Coordination of project meetings, briefings and reports on the following projects: • Fostering Community Resilience Meeting with Emergency Management Queensland • Attended the Whitsunday Regional Roads Group Meeting • Conducted site inspections with Cr. Casey • Design finalisation meeting associated with the Eton Hack and Pony Club

On-going involvement in the following areas: • Mackay Water Recycling Project (i.e: PCG and PAB), Mackay Development Advisory Board,

Management Leadership Forum and Sustainable Futures Committee Meetings • LGEG, Transport Working Group and Paget Depot Project Steering Committee • Safe Plan, Design and Construct Review Meetings and SES matters • City Focus Advisory Committee, Mackay Community & Public Transport Advisory Committee and

Open Space Sports & Recreation Steering Committee • Interviews for the Manager Civil Projects position • Service Level reviews with Program Managers and Portfolio Councillor

CONSTRUCTION

Works have been completed on the following projects: • Hunter Street - full length Lloyd Street • McKenney Street - Scott Street to opposite Lamb Street • Mengel Street - Bridge Road to Village Street • Rolston Street - Scott Street to Goldsmith Street • Nebo Road footpath • Gregory Street between Gordon Street and Victoria Street • Macalister Street, Gordon Street to Victoria Street to River Street • Nelson Street, Gordon Street to Victoria Street to River Street • Rifle Range Road Reconstruction – Plane Creek Crossing • Grasstree Beach Road • Stormwater pipes re-lining - Wood Street and Brisbane Street • West Plane Creek Road • Flood Damage Package 1 - Sarina Mirani 2008-2009 Flood Damage Program

Grasstree Beach Road Reconstruction

Works have been substantially completed on the following projects: • Blue Water Trail Lagoon to Bridge Road section • Casey Avenue Leisure Court extension • Mansfield Drive and Pittman Street • Branscombe Road footpath • Grasstree Road • Carlyle Street resurfacing between River and Victoria Street

CONSTRUCTION

Blue Water Trail

The following projects are in progress: • Crightons Road - Depot access • Bridge Road drainage widening - Leisure Court to Irving Street • Bridge Road footpath between - Leisure Court and Irving Street • Kinchant Dam reconstruction • Connors Road - between Archibald Street and Boundary Road • Bontanic Garden carpark • Taylor Street – George Street to Longair Street • Stockbridge Street reconstruction • Middle Creek Road • Gordon Street / Tennyson Street - intersection roundabout • Fernleigh Avenue / Maple Drive intersection • Elizabeth Street Sarina - footpath • Arthur Street Sarina – footpath

CONSTRUCTION

The following projects are in progress: • Farrellys Road, Connors Road to Michelmore Streets, Paget 80 % completed • Bluewater Trail Caneland Park 65 % completed • Flood Package 8 – Mackay North 2008 50 % completed • Flood Package 9 – Mackay North 2, 2008 70 % completed • Flood Package 10 – Mackay South, 2 2008 90 % completed • Brisbane Street Reconstruction 75 % completed • Flood Package 11 – Midge Point 2008 70 % completed • Crediton Loop Road 45 % completed • Roger Road Culverts 45 % completed • Optic Fibre Communications 40 % completed • Flood Package 12, 2008 80 % completed

Bridge Road Cycleway and Drainage Improvement

MAINTENANCE Maintenance Grading in the following areas:

Submergence Repairs - 2008 Rain Event

Nil

Submergence Repairs – 2010 Event

Dalrymple Road, Chelmans Road, Osbornes Road, Iwers Road, Windsors Road, Jewells Road, McDonalds Road, Clarendens Road, Marwood Road, Sands Road, Bella Road, Upper Alligator Creek Road.

Heavy Formation Grading Koumala-Bolingbroke Road.

Temporary Gravel Road Repairs

Smith Cross Road, Dunwold-Lumburra Road, Newmans Road, Devereux Creek Road (pavement repairs), Sams Road, Group Road, Gakowskis Road, Ventons Road, Whittaker Road, Venton Road.

Shoulder Grading Stockroute Road, Marwood Road, Hansens Road, Campbell Ridge Road.

Special Works : Footpath repairs – Victoria Street (Mirani), Victor Avenue, Malcomson Street, Shakespeare Street, Bridge Road, Scott Street, Macalister Street. Vegetation Control – Nanyima Estate (Mirani), McEwen's Beach area, Dunrock area, Munbura area, Marwood area, Homebush aera, Racecourse area, Palmyra area, Walkerston area, Marian area. Sign repairs – Bolder Creek Rest area, Eton area, Palmyra area, Balberra area. Culvert repairs – Osbornes Road, Andrew Drive, Mapalo Road, Kochs Road, Bowen Coach Road, Archibald Street, Cowleys Road, Schmidtke Road. Kerb & Channel repairs – Sunset Drive, Adair Court, Broomdykes Drive, Milne Lane, Hucker Street, River Street. Pit repairs – Tay Street.

Major culvert repairs in Wood Street – including night works to minimise disruption to business activities and traffic flow.

Pothole Patching: Devereux Creek Road, Pinevale Road, Gargett area, Owens Creek Loop Road, Marian area, Benholme area, Munbura Road, Marwood Road, Marian area, Palmyra area, Victoria Plains area, Koumala area, Sarina area, Smarts Road, Cone Creek Road, Tedland Road, Hay Point area, Sarina Beach area, Grasstree Road, Grasstree Beach Road, Eversleigh Road, Campwin Beach Road, Bridge Road, Macalister Street, Marzan Street, Danastas Drive, Admiral Drive, Bedford Road, Celeber Drive, Northern Beaches area, Pioneer Street, Chappel Court, McKinleys Road, Conningsby-Nebia road, Johnsons Road, Slade Point Road, Harvey Street, Philip Street, Mapolo Road, Ron Searle Drive, Jensens Road, Wainai Road, Ridolfis Road, Bald Hill Road, Holmes Road, Canberra Street, Willets Road, Glenpark Street, Mansfield Drive, Keeleys Road, Sologinkins Road, Balnagowan-Mandurana Road, Beaconsfield Road, Nicklin Drive, Cutler Drive, Holts Road, Oak Street, Glenella-Richmond Road, Schapers Road, Davey Street, Hill End Road, Glenella Road, Sugarshed Road, Pleystowe Connection Road. Drainage Maintenance: Table Drains, Dalrymple Road, West Mackay area, East Mackay area, Paget area, Northern Beaches area, Andergrove area, Mt Pleasant area, Owens Creek Loop Road, Marwood Road, Eton area, Bakers Creek area, Palmyra area, Balberra area, Pleystowe area, Victoria Plains area, Dunrock area, Rosella area, Wood Street, Bridge Road, Cowleys Road, Paradise Street. Mowing: Racecourse area. Bridge Works St. Helen Bridge – prior to recent upgrade

Damaged Components

Demolition works

Rehabilitation Works

Pile Driving Deck works Seal works

Main Roads RMPC:

Other Bituminous Works / Pothole Patching / Pavement Repairs

Marlborough-Sarina Road, Bruce Highway (South), , Peak Downs Highway, Rosella-Homebush Road, Sarina-Homebush Road, Mackay Bypass Road, Rockleigh-North Mackay Road, Mackay-Eungella Road, Marian-Hampden Road, Yakapari-Seaforth Road, Gargett-Mia Mia Road, Mirani

Heavy Formation grading / gravel resheeting / other formation works

Maraju-Yakapari Road, Mirani-Eton Road, Mt Ossa-Seaforth Road, Yakapari-Habana Road.

Culvert / Drainage Works Bruce Highway (South), Maraju-Yakapari Road,

Tractor Slashing Rural / Urban / Boom Mowing / Clearing Works / Herbicide Spraying / Declared Plant Spraying

Maraju-Yakapari Road, Mirani-Mt Ossa Road, Bruce Highway (South), Bruce Highway (North), Mackay-Bucasia Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road, Mackay Bypass Road, Mackay-Eungella Road, Eungella Dam Road, Peak Downs Highway, Marlborough-Sarina Road, Koumala-Bolingbroke Road, Rosella-Homebush Road, Sarina-Homebush Road, Eton-Homebush Road, Gargett-Mia Mia Road, Marian-Eton Road, Mirani-Eton Road, Mia Mia Connection Road, Sarina Coast Road, Hay Point Road.

Rest Area Servicing Bruce Highway (North).

Road Sweeping/Roadside Litter Collection

Bruce Highway (North), Bruce Highway (South), Mackay-Bucasia Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road.

Emergency Call Outs Bruce Highway (South).

Signs / Guide Post Works Bruce Highway (South), Bruce Highway (North), Peak Downs Highway, Marian-Eton Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road.

Quarry Operations:

Gravel from the following quarries was extracted during September: Bezzina’s Pit, Buggybend-Mirani, Comellis Pit, Hazlewoods-Mirani, Hoffman Pit, Johnson Pit, Larsens Pit, Mezzens Pit, Mitchell’s Pit, Omands-Mirani, Tecon Gap Pit.

Flood Damages: Saturation Works: Progress to date Final work packages are currently being delivered – packages 8/9/10/11/ and 12 Package 1 – 7 Work complete

Other Repairs to be progressed • Lansdowne Road – being completed under variation to package 901 • Paradise Street – this project will be deferred to 2010 claim due to extended damage • Balnagowan Mandurana – included in 2010 event to all for full funding and extra time for

delivery

2009 NDRRA:

• Saturation = $32,241,425.81 • Upgrade = $1,574,694.27

Design for selected sites in progress Package 901 – tender evaluation and recommendation forwarded for approval Package 902 – tenders close – 12/10/10 Package 903 – tenders close 19/10/10 Package 904 – tenders close 26/10/10 Delivery by combination of contract using existing panel of suppliers and in-house resources 2010 NDRRA: The total claim is being finalised and will be complete by mid November.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

• Development and design of projects for saturation damage projects throughout the Council area.

• Development and design of projects within Capital Works Programme.

• Development and ongoing modification of draft 20yr Capital Works Programme making provision

for all current projects and proposed development projects for long term Financial Plan purposes.

• Discussions with GHD & utility providers regarding proposed road construction Connors Road

(Archibald to Farrelly’s). Land acquisitions in progress and Ergon Telstra cost estimates received and

orders placed. Construction sequencing plan and discussions proposed. Telstra and Water/Sewer

works underway.

• Detail design ongoing for intersection upgrading on Malcomson Street at Charles Hodge and

Greenfields intersections.

• Tender Specification and issue for Glenpark Street Signalisation.

• Detail design of culvert crossing Casey Avenue, concept development and detail design for stadium

access, car park and Bluewater Trail extension ongoing. DA lodged and approved. Construction

plans issued for drain widening and footpath construction.

• Concept and detail design for future Milton/Bridge, Bridge/Paradise, Archibald/Milton and

Paradise/Webberley intersections commenced as part of Paget intersection and traffic study.

• General design development of detail plans for Archibald/Paradise roundabout & Glenpark/Evans

Signalised Intersection.

• Ongoing discussions with DMR, Developer and Council staff with regard to detail design and

division of costs for Bruce Hwy/Boundary Rd intersection and section of Boundary Road from Hwy

to Rainlover Street.

• Design of HAFF project extension of Rosewood Drive.

• Attendance at Meetings Paget Steering Committee, Paget Depot Management Group, Land and Road

Use Committee, Urban Enhancement Concept plan, Strategic Planning Internal stakeholders,

Program Managers, DTMR City Gates Boundary Road Upgrade, ULDA Bedford Road project,

DTMR Urban congestion study and DTMR Road Infrastructure Joint Meeting.

• Provision to Council of briefing on Departmental Briefing.

PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT

The Parks & Environment report for the month of September contains information on activities undertaken throughout the month by the staff within the program.

• Administration – There were enquiries for park bookings and keys issued during the month for access to parks from other programs and public events. There were 2102 campers at Seaforth, 135 campers at Ball Bay and 164 campers at St Helens Beach reserves during September.

• Customer Requests – There were 165 requests received and 253 attended during September

• Technical Officers – Inspections of 10 subdivisions were conducted, 4 days training and 3 developer meetings held in the month. 7 subdivisions were placed On Maintenance and 3 came Off Maintenance. Work on the Parks Asset Management document focused upon the Service Delivery data capture spreadsheet and was undertaken in consultation with supervisors and coordinators throughout the program.

• Horticulture Activities – 46556m2 of gardens were serviced, there are 3 staff vacancies in this operational area during the month.

• Grass Maintenance Activities – Mowing of parks 1,569,573 m2; drains 30,370m2; easements 553,668m2, community halls 30,760m2 and 66,873m2 of road medians conducted in month. Due to continued rain the spraying operations were affected. Spraying of road medians was conducted in suitable weather conditions.

• Natural Environment Activities – Conservation Volunteers worked at Sandfly Creek conducting weed control, and at Blacks Beach undertaking revegetation and weed control. Signage at Sandfly Creek completed and installed, brief for Midge Point SEMP drafted. Sarina Landcare and Pioneer Catchment Group meeting to establish 12 month projects with these groups. Midge Point Sand replenishment works completed to the appreciation of the community.

• Arboriculture Activities – The tree crew responded to customer requests and continued on cyclone clean up of hanging branches and trees which have recently shown signs of damage following the cyclone. Many trees have sustained internal damage to structure which is only now becoming evident and was not easily seen in the first response inspections. The Arboriculture supervisor is continuing to scope trees to ascertain extent of damage and to reduce possibility of loss during adverse weather events. Revision training of all Parks staff in Emergency response is being prepared for November.

• Marine Beach Activities – Repairs to swimming enclosure at McEwen's Beach, sand replenishment supervision at Midge Point was the major work role this month due to distance and suitable tides for work.

• Parks Building Services Activities – Repaints to toilets continues to be a large part of the painters tasks this month. Graffiti removal from park infrastructure was conducted in Northern Beaches, Iluka Park, Kemmis Park and Andergrove area. Capital projects undertaken during the month are

reported below.

• Electrical Operations – Traffic light maintenance, electrical repairs and testing of council equipment conducted during month. Electrical capital projects commenced at Norris Road.

• Cemetery Operations – There were 12 burials at Mt Bassett, 1 at Mackay, 4 at Walkerston, 2 at Mirani and 5 at Sarina Cemeteries in September. Mowing, garden maintenance, general maintenance and whipper snipping were conducted. There was extensive vandalism to monuments at Mackay Cemetery.

• Capital Projects – The RLCIP Shade Structures project continued this month. Commencement on refurbishment of Campwin Toilet Block, Apex Park soffits, and concreting to paths was conducted during September.

• The following projects are completed -

North Eton Shelter roof replacement

• Projects in Construction – Muller Park Playground Upgrade; Annie Wood Playground Upgrade; Campwin Beach Toilet Refurbishment; Apex Park soffit replacement.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Bicentennial Conservatory

MACKAY REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS Throughout September: Horticultural and Site Works Staff works have been focussing on pruning, mulching and rebuilding cyclone damaged table drains throughout the site. Unseasonal warm and wet conditions have increased mowing, weeds and lagoon exotic water weeds. A specialist research visit from the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture on September 10 viewed progress on the current residential turf trial plots on Lagoon Street and the much larger warm season turf grass for parks around Mackay. September 11 - A planting bee in the Tropical Shade Garden saw over 200 plants added to the Living Collection included rare and threatened species by 12 Gardens Friends and staff. September 12-15 saw the Curator attend the Parks & Leisure Australia Conference in Glenelg, Adelaide. This was covered by a scholarship award for best application and use of TerraCottem, achieved in 2009 at the previous conference, sponsored by TerraCottem and Parks & Leisure Australia, covering flights, accommodation and registration. The Curator presented the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens experiences how climate change and weather extremes have and could affect Mackay and the natural environment over since the Garden’s inception and over the next 100 years. The Curator then visited via invitation the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, in aim of establishing a joint Memorandum of Understanding to provide Mackay native plant material – especial rare and threatened species, for the Mt Lofty fern collection and the showpiece Bicentennial Conservatory in Adelaide city. As well as creating high profile link, this will place local genetics into ‘safe keeping’ into different locations in case of drastic climate change or loss of habitat. The September Horticultural Reference Group meeting finalised species and design for the revamp of the Grass Tree Slopes below the lagoon Lookout Deck. Originally planted with over 40 relocated Xanthorrhoea latifolia subsp. latifolia – Grass Trees from Yakapari in 2003, over 30 have since died due to wet conditions. A range of native grasses, sedges and seedling Grass Trees will be replanted enmasse into the slopes in December to revitalise this highly visible site. Visitor Services program: School Visits and Educational sessions 1 Sept 27 prep children Slade Point School…. Leaf Hunts, Bush Tucker & Kitchen Garden 1 Sept Education Queensland “Science Sparkies” 2 Sept 29 Year 5 children St John’s School (Walkerston)…Survival of the Fittest…Plant and Animal

adaptations 2 Sept 70 Year 1 children Fitzgerald School (Self Guided) 6 Sept GBRMPA Future leaders Eco Challenge Day… 9 schools participated in Biodiversity,

Sustainability, Water testing, Macro Invertebrates and Water Plant Identification activities 10 Sept 50 Year 5 children from Alligator Creek School…Seed Dispersal, Rainforests, Leaf Litter and

Threatened Species. 14 Sept 65 Year 2/3 children from Andergrove school… Bush Tucker, Kitchen Gardens and Mini-beasts 15 Sept 50 Prep children from Marian school… Leaf Hunts and Mini-Beasts. 15 Sept 50 year 1 children from Whitsunday Anglican School…. Leaf Hunts, Wildlife Wonders and

Drawing in Nature.

ERTHS Dinosaurs visit

16 Sept 20 Kindergarten children from Whitsunday Anglican School. Small Explorers; Wildlife in the Gardens.

16 Sept 170 Mirani High school children utilised the Gardens for a lunch break and activity School Holiday Activities 21,23,24,28,29,30 Sept “The Best Beak in the Botanic Lagoon” 2 sessions daily on with

10 children per session… with volunteer assistance from MACBOCA During the month - 115 students from West Mackay School conducted (self guided) studies in regard to Bird Watching, Water Testing and Traffic Movements Events 5 Sept Blue Water Trail Launch 7 Sept Child Protection Week… Teddy Bears Picnic 8 Sept Child Protection Week… Mini Olympics 10 Sept ERTHS Dinosaurs visit the Coal Garden. Over 300 people were amazed by the large life sized

puppet operated and walked in by 4 performers. 19 Sept Sunday in the Park

In September the botanic gardens was hired for 6 weddings, 1 evening function in the Café, 1 meeting room booking, 2 meeting room bookings, 1 Horticultural Reference Group Meeting, 2 Botanical Art meetings and 2 weeks of school holiday activities in Meeting Room. The online monthly e-newsletter has increased to 167 residents receiving news on the botanic gardens.

Consultation

There has been consultation with Engineering Services Program Managers.

Resource Implications Nil.

Conclusion

The onset of an early wet season has seen the need to review operational activities, particularly in the areas of grass mowing and drainage maintenance. Progress on the overall Capital Works program and Flood Damage program has been steady but impaired upon by the unseasonal rain during the period.

Officer’s Recommendation THAT this report be received.