Ingham to Cardwell Range Highway Planning Study Minister announces draft alignment options (Feb 11 2010)
What is the planning study about?
Ripple Creek: Sharp bends will be reduced in the new highway design
In October 2008, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) commenced a $5 million federally-funded planning study to examine options for reducing flooding closures on the Bruce Highway between the southern approach to Ingham and the foothills of the Cardwell Range.
This section of the highway passes through the Ingham township and crosses the Herbert River floodplain. The study is anticipated to take up to three years to complete, and is the first step towards improving the performance of the highway during the annual wet season.
The primary aim of the study is to find the best option to improve the flood immunity of the Bruce Highway without significantly increasing flooding problems on nearby land. The department is not attempting to “flood proof” the highway, but rather reduce the frequency and duration of road closures caused by flooding. The new highway will be designed to at least halve the duration of highway closures during a severe flood, from five days to no more than 48 hours, and will reduce average annual closures to no more than 10 hours.
The study will also look at improving the safety and level of service of the Bruce Highway to accommodate current and future traffic needs. When the planning study is complete, Main Roads will apply for funding to construct the preferred alignment sometime in the future. There is no start date for construction at this stage.
TMR has engaged a number of specialist consultants to assist with the planning study:
- Engineering consultant, AECOM, is undertaking preliminary investigations and concept planning;
- Flood modelling consultant, WBM is conducting a flood analysis of the highway options; and
- EBC (Environment and Behaviour Consultants) is undertaking extensive consultation with the community to help identify and develop design options in conjunction with the ongoing flooding, engineering, environmental, economic, social and cultural heritage analysis.
Rotary Park in centre of Ingham (2007)
Rotary Park during the 2009 floods
What about previous studies, including the Herbert River to Cardwell Range project?
In 2007, the department looked at upgrading the existing highway between the Herbert River and the southern foothills of the Cardwell Range. During this project, the department identified the need to broaden the study area to better understand the full extent of the flooding impacts of the Herbert River floodplain. The current study is building on previous work undertaken in 2007 to look at the "bigger picture" which includes flooding problems in Ingham. Earlier highway options considered in the 1960s are also being reviewed by the current study.
The planning process
Step 1: Refine the study area into ‘zones of interest’
The first step was to narrow the study area between Ingham and the Cardwell Range by identifying any initial constraints to where the highway could run. This involved looking at the feasibility of upgrading the existing highway route as well options for a new highway.
The department identified two ‘zones of interest’ to the west of the existing highway (see maps below). These zones of interest were the outcome of preliminary engineering, flooding, environmental and cultural heritage investigations. Consultation was also undertaken with local stakeholders and landholders who own property adjacent to the existing highway.
These preliminary investigations ruled out the possibility of upgrading the existing highway through the centre of Ingham due to the potential impacts of raising the highway to meet the desired flood immunity standard. For more information go to the Frequently asked questions – Why can’t TMR upgrade the existing highway?
- Map showing ‘zones of interest’ (high resolution 3MB)
- Map showing ‘zones of interest’ (low resolution 1MB)
- ‘Zones of Interest’ -Townsville Road to Fairford Road section (high resolution 3MB)
- ‘Zones of Interest’ -Townsville Road to Fairford Road section (low resolution MB)
Step 2: Identify draft alignment options within the zones of interest
From June 2009, the study team undertook detailed investigations of the zones of interest to further refine them into alignment options. Activities and investigations included:
- Cognitive mapping – Community engagement consultants from EBC met with landholders identified within the zones of interest to gain their input on the location of potential alignments. Landholders provided information about water flow patterns, flood heights, flora and fauna, soil conditions and land use on their properties and this was fed back to the design team.
- Flood studies – Flood modelling specialists developed a model to help determine the number of culverts, bridges and other structures required through the road embankment. Information from the community was also fed into the model to validate it against the 2009 flood.
- Engineering – The study team carried out engineering, design and traffic investigations, including an assessment of the John Row Bridge.
- Indigenous and historical (European) cultural heritage assessments – A preliminary survey of the zones of interest was undertaken to identify any sites of cultural heritage significance.
- Environmental fieldwork – To lessen the impacts on areas of environmental significance, environmental scientists conducted flora and fauna surveys and water and soil analysis.
- Key stakeholder meetings – The study team met, and will continue to work closely with, many key stakeholders, including Hinchinbrook Shire Council, CSR, the Tyto Wetlands Steering Committee, aerodrome operators, the Cane Harvesters’ Association and sporting clubs within the zones of interest.
- Public displays – The department held public displays at several locations and events around Ingham.
Step 3 (Current): Analyse and refine alignment options
We are currently at this stage of the planning process.
At what stage is the study?
The Department of Transport and Main Roads released three draft alignment options for public comment on February 11 2010. The alignment options fall within the two zones of interest which were earlier identified as part of the planning study. Each alignment option deviates west of Townsville Road near the aerodrome and connects back to the existing highway near Mount Cudmore Road, at the southern foothills of the Cardwell Range (see maps below).
Looking southwest to where the alignment options begin
The central alignment skirts around the western edge of Ingham, and follows an alignment just west of the existing highway to Ripple Creek. The two other alignment options, Western 1 and Western 2, follow a more western route that heads for the foothills of the National Park near Gangemis Road. From here, the western alignments follow different paths that cross Arnot Creek to connect to the existing highway near Mount Cudmore Road.
Each draft alignment shows the land requirement for a four-lane highway corridor. This will enable an additional two lanes to be built in the future when traffic volumes increase. Initially, only two lanes will be built.
- Map of the three draft alignment options (high resolution 5MB)
- Map of the three draft alignment options (low resolution 1MB)
- Central alignment between Townsville Road and Fairford Road (high resolution 3MB)
- Central alignment between Townsville Road and Fairford Road (low resolution 1MB)
- Western alignment (W1 and W2) between Townsville Road and Fairford Road (high resolution 3MB)
- Western alignment (W1 and W2) between Townsville Road and Fairford Road (low resolution 1MB)
The alignment options are the outcome of ongoing engineering, environmental, flooding and cultural heritage analysis as well as extensive community consultation (see The planning process).
These alignment options are not yet finalised and there is scope for adjustments that may arise as a result of community consultation. For more information about the alignment options go to Frequently asked questions.
What happens next?
Over the next several months, the department will seek feedback on the alignment options from potentially impacted and adjacent landholders, key stakeholders, industry representatives, other government and regional bodies and the broader Ingham community. This feedback will help finalise the alignment options and will be used to help decide on the preferred alignment.
Community engagement consultants, EBC, will arrange to meet with all landholders and local stakeholders within the zones of interest. These landholders and stakeholders will have already received a letter advising them of the location of the draft alignment options. Public displays will be held to obtain feedback from the broader community, and the department will also undertake further detailed investigations of each of the alignment options.
On finalisation of the alignment options, the department will hold a value management workshop with members of the study team, key government representatives, technical specialists and other specialists as required. This workshop will compare the alignment options by bringing together all the information gathered from technical investigations and community consultation. The outcomes of this comparison will help the project team to decide on a preferred alignment.
It is anticipated that the preferred alignment will be announced by early 2011. The preferred alignment may be subject to further refinement based on a future detailed design process. There is no funding for detailed design or construction at this stage.
The community will continue to be informed about the progress of the planning study through the webpage, public displays, community updates, and the media.
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| Canefields surrounding Ingham (2008) | Ingham township ( 2008) | John Row (Herbert River) Bridge (2008) |
Community engagement process
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is committed to working closely with the local community to identify, negotiate and develop the best solution, which takes into account potential social, economic, environmental and cultural impacts. This will involve consultation with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, businesses, industry, local and regional organisations, landholders, residents and others who have an interest in the highway.
Planning advisory committee
A Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) has been established to help support the community engagement process. The PAC is an open committee formed from representatives of key local organisations and local community members who have an interest in the study and are knowledgeable about the local area. The committee provides feedback to the department and its consultants on the community engagement process and ways to get the community involved.
You do not need to be a member of the PAC to provide input into the consultation process; however, if you are interested in being involved with the committee, or would like more information, please enter your name and telephone number below and a consultant will contact you.
Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) documents
- PAC meeting no. 1 (November 1 2008) – agenda
- PAC meeting no. 1 (November 1 2008) – minutes
- PAC meeting no. 2 (January 29 2009) - agenda
- PAC meeting no. 2 (January 29 2009) - minutes
- PAC meeting no. 3 (June 18 2009) – agenda
- PAC meeting no. 3 (June 18 2009) - minutes
Economic Impact Assessment (EIA)
During 2009, EBC met with businesses that front the highway on Townsville Road, Lannercost Street, Herbert Street and Palm Terrace to gain their input and gather data for an economic impact assessment report (EIA). The EIA is an analysis of the potential economic impacts of realigning the highway out of the centre of town. It compares this to the highway running through town, by using a model of the Ingham economy. The EIA also examines the economic impacts of constructing a new highway.
The EIA report is currently being finalised. It will outline strategies to reduce potential impacts on the business community, as well as identify benefits for the community during and after construction of the new highway. The outcomes of the EIA report will be workshopped with the Chamber of Commerce and business community in 2010.
John Row Bridge over Herbert River during 2009 floods.
Flooding Analysis
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has engaged flood modelling consultants, WBM, to examine the complexities of the Herbert River floodplain and the potential flooding impacts of a new highway. The aim is to minimise any flood water rise whilst reducing flooding closures on the highway.
The flood analysis of the alignment options uses the flood model developed for the Herbert River Improvement Trust, which was adopted by the Hinchinbrook Council in 2003. The model for the Herbert River flood plain was calibrated to the 1991 and 1967 floods. This means that these floods were run through the model, which was adjusted to ensure that it provided similar flood levels and flooding patterns as the real flood events. At the time, the model was scrutinised by the study advisory group as well as the community, through community consultation sessions. Both the study advisory group and those attending the community consultation sessions concluded that the model represented observed flooding patterns.
Local data from the recent February 2009 flood event is currently being used to validate the model. EBC undertook a ‘cognitive mapping’ exercise with landholders identified within the zones of interest. Using an aerial plan of their property, landholders identified general details about their property, such as accesses and haulage tracks, as well as information about water flow patterns and flood heights from the February 2009 flood. This local flooding knowledge helps to provide a comprehensive representation of the February 2009 flood in the area of the zones of interest. This is being used to verify the flood model and has helped develop alignment options for the new highway.
The link below opens a flood hazard map which illustrates the areas between Ingham and the Cardwell Range that are affected by floodwaters in a 100 year flood event.
How can the flood model assess the amount of drainage required underneath the highway?
Initially, the model is set up to accurately reflect the height and conditions of the existing floodplain, and its representation of floods is validated against real flood events. The next step is to adjust this model by putting in road embankments and an initial estimate of drainage structures. The model is then rerun and both sets of results are compared in order to demonstrate the impact of the proposed highway on the flood levels. The structures underneath the new highway are then modified until the flood level impacts are acceptable.
Aerial view of the foothills of the Cardwell Range.
This is where the draft alignment options connect back to the existing highway (2009)
Have your say?
There are a number of ways you can provide information and comments to the consultants undertaking this study.
Your Comments or Questions:
Keep Informed
Frequently asked questions
Click here to view commonly asked questions
Fact Sheets
None available at present
Community Updates
Community Update November 2008
Community Update February 2009
Community Update July 2009
Community Update December 2009
Community update February/March 2010
Other Project Documents
Advertorial (November 2008)
Media Release – alignment options released (11 February 2010)
Contact Information
If you would like to talk to a consultant please call 1300 139 824 and leave your name and contact details.
Phone: 1300 139 824
Fax: (07) 4772 6335
Email: ingham@ebc.net.au
Send written comments to:
Ingham to Cardwell Range Planning Study
Po Box 458
Townsville Qld 4810
Background information on the project is also available from: www.tmr.qld.gov.au