Category: Community Noticeboard

TMR Range Road Update: Planned Works in 2021

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and an opportunity to relax and unwind over the Christmas / New Year break.

It was very exciting to sign off 2020 with the successful and timely completion of our Natural Disaster Program of works on Mt Spec Road. The overall scope of the project was set with an ambitious schedule, and with your patience and assistance the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the project contractor were able to complete these important works prior to the commencement of the 2020/2021 wet season.

With the 2021 year underway, I am now touching base to provide further information about remediation works to take place on Mt Spec Road this year.

Following investigations that took place in mid-2020, three areas on Mt Spec Road have been identified that will require further slope remediation outside of the disaster and recovery funded works. These areas are located at Culvert 57, Culvert 169 near Mountain Creek and Culvert 197. From Monday 8 February 2021, TMR will undertake some minor geotechnical works to assist with the design of slope remediation to these areas. I will shortly be sending a follow-up email with further details about these minor works. 

After the completion of these geotechnical works and design of the slope remediation project, TMR will begin consulting with the community to develop a plan to complete these remediation works. We understand that any works that take place on Mt Spec Road have impacts on the community and we want to provide everyone with ample opportunity to provide feedback on how we propose to undertake this project.

I will be in touch following the completion of these initial minor works on Mt Spec Road to engage with you further about the remediation project. Please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below should you require any further information. 

Kind regards

Meghan

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main RoadsFloor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8725
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Cyclone Season Preparation for 2021

Memories of the 2019 February inundation and the subsequent isolation of Paluma and communities to the west will be with us for years. These memories should prompt all of us living in the area to consider carefully how we prepare for this wet season.

The best way to start this years’ preparation is to visit the Queensland Government website www.getready.qld.gov.au. The site addresses preparation for a range of disasters that could affect Queensland. Cyclone, storm damage & fires are the most relevant to our area.  It also lists a number of disaster related apps. Another useful website is www.disaster.townsville.qld.gov.au

Cyclones & extreme rainfall events

The get ready website suggests being prepared for 3 days of self-sufficiency. This may be adequate for the lowlands, but could easily prove inadequate for Paluma to Hidden Valley communities.  If a high category cyclone crosses the coast anywhere near Townsville, Paluma to Hidden Valley problems are likely to be well down government priority lists, if they are not life threatening.

Plan for the worst – what if.

  1. All access roads to the area closed for seven (?) plus days
  2. Prolonged loss of the electricity grid supply.
  3. Eventual loss of landline, mobile phone & internet communication due to loss of power to the Telstra site.
  4. Damage to Townsville Water infrastructure resulting in unreliable water supply.
  5. Structural damage to your private residences forcing evacuation to temporary accommodation.

If you work through the three steps of the Have a Plan section of the get ready website you should be covered for most things. However they don’t mention backup generators & standby gas cooking equipment or the associated fuel & gas.

For anyone without internet access the following checklist covers some of the things to consider.

Clearing around you residence to remove anything with the potential of becoming an airborne projectile.

Insurance – Check currency & adequacy.

Basic supplies

  1. Enough food for the whole household including pets. If you have no generator backup for your refrigerator then stick mainly to non-perishable food. (dried or tinned)
  2. Adequate supplies of prescription medication plus cold & flu tablets, pain killers etc.
  3. Toiletries.
  4. Adequate clothing for everyone for the duration.
  5. Extra bed linen & towels.
  6. Sturdy gloves.
  7. Wet weather gear.
  8. Allow 3 litres of bottled water per person per day. Alternatively a small rainwater tank with water purification tablets from chemist/camping stores. Without power electrical appliances will not be able to boil water for safety.
  9. Important documents & a backup hard drive.
  10. Up to date first aid kit.
  11. Adequate generator fuel & gas for backup cooking equipment. Those on solar off grid systems should consider how much fuel they may need if the solar array is damaged.
  12. Spare batteries for torches/radios.
  13. Sturdy waterproof containers for food, clothes, medication, phones etc.

Communications

  1. The Telstra site has a backup generator but when the fuel runs out Telstra will be unable to refuel if access roads to Paluma are closed. There are also likely to be batteries in the Telstra building. So the phones & internet may continue to work for some time after a power failure & then shut down. Suggest it wise to make any important phone calls or emails as soon as possible after the event.

Hopefully the Townsville City Council & Telstra will be able to come to some agreement where TCC staff resident in Paluma can refuel the Telstra genset if necessary.

  • For landline phones a non 240v phone is best.
  • Have an alternate way of charging mobile phones & tablets without mains power.
  • Will your mobile phone work at the Star Valley or McClelland’s’ lookouts.
  • Battery radio.

Equipment

  1. Generator –tested/serviced.
  2. Backup gas cooking equipment (BBQ) if you only have an electric stove.
  3. Alternative lighting.

Evacuating your house due structural damage.

Extra things that should be considered for an evacuation kit include bedding (sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses & pillows), reading material & games, cash.

Rental properties.  If you have any form of rental property in the area, consider the need to advise potential tenants of the risk of isolation after extreme weather events.

If you are not going to be in the Paluma area.

  1.  Ensure anyone occupying your house is aware of the above suggestions.
  2. Clean out your fridge & freezer
  3. Consider supplying a neighbour with a key & your contact details so they can access your property to check for damage & report to you.

Charlie Allen
Mt Spec SES

Rainforest Inn is Closed until 30 January 2021

Paluma residents, visitors and holiday-makers please note that the Rainforest Inn at Paluma will be closed over the period 30 December 2020 to 30 January 2021.

This means that with the exception of the vending machine (for snacks) at the Paluma Education and Environmental Centre (PEEC) there are no places or facilities to buy food, drinks or other supplies whilst visiting the village. Please bring your supplies with you to avoid disappointment (and being hungry!).

TMR Range Road Update

Good afternoon everyone,

TMR anticipates that the full road closure of Mt Spec Road will be completed this Sunday night and the road will be operational at all times from 6am Monday 14 December 2020. 

Construction crews are in the process of demobilising the project sites and expect to be finished on Mount Spec Road over the next few days.

We will provide a project update to stakeholders by email and an SMS when works are completed, and Mt Spec Road is fully open to motorists.

TMR thanks you for patience during these important works. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 1800 625 648 should you require any further information.

Kind Regards,  

Meghan

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8725
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

TMR Range Road Update

Good morning everyone,

Please be advised that the bottom gate closure for the Mt Spec reconstruction works has been relocated up to the Little Crystal Creek Bridge.  This means that you will need to be at the Little Crystal Creek Bridge by 6pm Saturday to Thursday and 7pm Friday to travel up Mt Spec Road before the closure of the road for the evening.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information about the project.

Kind regards

Meghan

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8725
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

TMR Range Road Update

Good afternoon everyone,

Thank you for your patience while the Department of Transport and Main Roads continues to complete important reconstruction works on Mt Spec Road.

While the weekend did see the project experience some inclement weather on Saturday night, concreting works at Windy Corner and Culvert 161 were able to be completed on Sunday evening.

Please be advised that TMR will not be completing a second weekend closure this weekend. Existing closure times for Mt Spec Road (6pm-6am Saturday to Thursday, 7pm-7am Friday) will be in place for this weekend.

Again, thank you for your patience while we complete these important works and please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Kind Regards 

Meghan 

Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region
Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810
PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810
P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8725
E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Paluma Tropical Breeze BBQ

The final Social Event for 2020 is the Paluma Tropical Breeze BBQ to be held on Saturday 12 December at 6.30 pm at the Community Hall.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please bring along:-

  1. Your own choice of meat/protein for the BBQ.
  2. A Plate for sharing – nibbles, salad bowl or dessert.
  3. Dress is Casual Tropical. Please wear your favourite tropical outfit. There will be a free drink for the person who most embraces the Tropical theme.
  4. Your Xmas spirit and good humour is essential.

The Bar will be open as usual with low cost beverages for thirsty people.

Please come along and join your friends and neighbours in marking the start of the Silly Season and the closing of 2020. See you there!