Rodney Stevens
A record $208.3 million Capital Works program will be delivered by Clarence Valley Council in 2023/2024 after councillors voted unanimously to endorse councils Operational Plan being put on public exhibition at the April meeting.
Key features of the Capital Works program include an investigation into town water supply filtration and construction of the Regional Aquatic Centre.
Of the Capital Works budget, council has allocated $37.8 million to road and bridge infrastructure projects, $38.5 million to water and sewer projects, $67.7 million allocated to emergency restoration works for essential public asset repairs impacted by the February 2022 flood event, $31 million to community facility and building projects, $15 million to aquatic facilities projects and approximately $8 million allocated to open spaces, sports field, and holiday parks projects.
The majority of the work in the Capital Works budget is renewal work, according to the April 18 Clarence Valley Council CVC business papers, with grants representing 62 per-cent of the funding allocated to the works.
As a result of council resolving not to sell Yamba’s Wooli Street Hall, it has been estimated council will have to borrow $12 million to complete the Regional Aquatic Centre and the Yamba Community Centre.
Significant projects as part of the Capital Works program include:
Natural Disaster Works program for essential public asset repairs: $67.7 million for 2023/2024 and $25 million for 2024/2025 in the Capital Works Program, enabling the delivery of the equivalent of sixteen years of work to be completed in the next two years through a mix of internal resource and contractors.
Commencement of the Regional Aquatic Centre with $15 million for 2023/2024 and $11.9 million for 2024/2025.
Rural road gravel re sheeting program of $1.8 million including roads in Brooms Head, Lanitza, Harwood, Lawrence, Mororo, and Pillar Valley.
A $7.3 million regional road program including a 2.8km section of Eight Mile Lane, Glenugie of widening and pavement rehabilitation.
Commence construction Stage 1 of the Maclean Cultural and Community Precinct – $13,586.
Demolish Treelands Drive Community Centre and commence construction of Yamba Community Precinct – $13,829,077 and new library fit out – $475,000.
Continuation of the Timber Bridges Replacement Program of a $19.97 million grant funded program continuing over the next four financial years.
A $1.35 million investment in 2023/2024 and $4.5 million in 2024/2025 in an automated water meter reading system.
The CVC 2023/2024 draft Operational Plan is on public exhibition until May 29 online at https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/On-exhibition/Integrated-Planning-Reporting-Documents-for-2023-24