MEMBER for Ipswich West Jim Madden says that high camber is just one of a number of issues in the lower section of John Street, Rosewood that the Department of Transport and Main Roads intends to address.
Mr Madden was responding to an article in the MBN September 30 edition where a resident highlighted the problems associated with the high camber in John Street.
“The 2022 – 2023 State Budget provided funding of $3 million to undertake design work to improve flood immunity in John Street, Rosewood,” he said.
“This work will involve planning and costing to upgrade the storm water system in John Street and Railway Streets, as well as reconstruction of the kerbing, drainage, driveways and road surface in John Street.
“The flooding issue in John Street is manifested when stormwater flowing down John Street overtops the kerb, flooding nearby businesses and homes.”
Mr Madden said the plan was to rectify this issue.
“To stop this occurring the stormwater pipes in the lower section of John Street may need to be increased in size and the number of box drains increased.
“But this work cannot be undertaken until the Ipswich City Council makes improvements to the stormwater system south of John Street.
“The $3 million for design work allocated in the 2022 – 2023 State Budget will consider, in part, how best this can be achieved by council.
“Funding is available to the council to improve the stormwater system south of John Street, via local State Government Local Government Grants.
“I am aware that the Department of Transport and Main Roads and council have been having discussions in this regard to improving the storm water system south of John Street since 2020.
“Once the $3 million design work is completed by TMR and council makes the necessary improvements to the stormwater system below John Street, subject to State Government funding being made available the works to be undertaken by the Department in John Street, would include improving the stormwater system, replacement of the scallop style kerbing with conventional kerbing, resurfacing of the road surface, which would reduce the camber of the road, and reconstruction of driveways, where required.”
Mayor Teresa Harding said that she has been working closely with Division 4 councillors Kate Kunzelmann, and Russell Milligan to advocate for funding from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to address the flooding and camber issues in John Street, Rosewood.
“As John Street is a state government-controlled road, TMR is the lead agency for the proposed works,” she said.
“It is TMR that will deliver an overarching plan to upgrade the broader stormwater drainage network to address the flooding challenges in this corridor.
“Once TMR has completed the design and planning work, council can then undertake any further stormwater upgrades required to local assets to ensure this work is in line with the broader John Street project.
“This would be a joint project with the state.
“TMR and council agree that council is unable to undertake any further stormwater upgrades until TMR fund and complete the design and planning.
“To begin construction without a plan provided and approved by TMR would not be permitted on a state-controlled road.
“While council welcomes the inclusion of $3 million in this year’s state budget for the design and planning solution, the funding has been allocated for distribution in years 2024-25 to 2025-26.
“Work cannot commence until this funding is available for TMR to undertake the planning for this project.
“Officers from council and TMR have been working well together on this project, and are in agreement that council cannot undertake its work until an overarching plan has been completed by TMR.
“Once we have a completed plan and know the scope of the John Street project, the state and council will need to undertake consultation with Rosewood residents and businesses to limit disruption during the construction of this project.
“However, at this stage, that is still some years away.”
