Stormwater Flood Mitigation Bernhardt Court
| What we're doing: | Council has been successful in securing a grant from the Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) for the construction of flood mitigation and rejuvenation works on Bernhardt Court, Fletcher Road, Mount Barker Creek and Railway Creek. |
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| How much is it going to cost: | $2,314,746 |
| Timeframe: | 2025/26 - 2027-28 |
| Background: | Railway Creek and Mount Barker Creek have become less capable of conveying large flood flows due to increased rainfall projections caused by climate change and the build-up of silt in the creek that reduces flow carrying capacity. The Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) provides grants to Councils to address stormwater management issues that have been identified in Councils approved Stormwater Management Plans (SMP). Council’s 2014 Mount Barker, Totness & Littlehampton Stormwater Management Plan is an approved plan and has identified Mount Barker Creek and Railway Creek adjacent Bernhardt Court as requiring rejuvenation and the installation of levee banks to ensure it continues to prevent properties from flooding for up to the 1% AEP storm event (1 in 100 year ARI). Upgrades are also proposed to the underground stormwater drainage system in Fletcher Road to prevent stormwater entering Bernhardt Court. At the end of this pipe is a new Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) that removes pollutants (trash) from the stormwater before it enters Railway Creek. The design for these works is complete and has been 50% funded (up to $80,000) through a grant via the SMA on an equal cost share basis. At its 3 March 2025 meeting, Council authorised staff to make a further application to the SMA for 50% funding towards the construction of all three stages of this project on a 50% cost share basis (i.e. Councils share is also $1,157,373). On 30 June 2025, Council received advice that it had been successful in securing the grant for the full amount of up to $1,157,373 (excl. GST) as requested. Council has included Stage 1 of this project (Fletcher Road stormwater upgrade and GPT) in its 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget and has undertaken to construct Stage 2 in 2026/27. |
January 2026
All design work has been completed, and construction of Stage 1 is scheduled to commence in April 2026. Stage 1 includes the installation of new concrete pipes and pits, as well as a Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) in Fletcher Road. Please look out for advisory signage and traffic management measures around the construction site to help keep our road workers safe.
July 2025
Design work is nearly complete on all three stages of this project. Stage 1 will be tendered to market in early 2025/26.
It is intended to tender Stage 2 (Mount Barker Creek and Railway Creek rejuvenation work) in 2026/27.
Works are expected to take place in the summer months to take advantage of the dryer weather conditions which is particularly important for Stage 2 works that include the rejuvenation of the creeks, construction of a silt basin and the construction of levee banks.