Ingham to Cardwell Range Highway Planning Study
What is the planning study about?
The community engagement process
Page last updated 15th September 2009
What is the planning study about?
This federally-funded planning study has been commissioned by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) to examine options for reducing road closures during the annual wet season on the Bruce Highway between Ingham and the southern foothills of the Cardwell Range.
This section of the highway passes through the Ingham township and crosses the Herbert River floodplain. It is subject to extensive flooding, with sections of the highway often closed to traffic for up to five days during the annual wet season. The planning study will investigate options for improving the flood immunity of the highway across the floodplain, so that road closures are less frequent and shorter in duration. The aim of the study is to find a solution that will improve traffic access and safety without significantly increasing flooding problems on nearby land.
DTMR is not attempting to "flood-proof" the proposed highway, but rather reduce the frequency and duration of road closures caused by flooding. It will also look at upgrading the quality and features of the Bruce Highway to accommodate future traffic patterns and growth. The planning study commenced in October 2008 and is anticipated to take up to three years to complete.
Click here to view an aerial map of the area.
Engineering consultants, AECOM, will undertake preliminary investigations and concept planning for the study and WBM will conduct the flooding analysis of the study area. EBC will undertake extensive community consultation to identify, analyse and develop design options in conjunction with:
- engineering and traffic investigations to examine traffic patterns, volumes, safety issues and construction feasibility
- flooding analysis, which includes using a detailed flood model to assess highway options and their potential impacts on nearby land
- environmental assessments, including flora and fauna surveys and water and soil analysis, to mitigate impacts on areas of environmental significance
- cultural heritage assessments to identify and manage issues relating to cultural heritage resources and culturally significant areas, both Aboriginal and European
- economic and social impact assessments to identify and analyse any potential impacts on local and regional businesses, agricultural production, tourism and the local community (These will be separate participatory processes that will involve the local community)
The outcome of the planning study will allow DTMR to apply for funding to upgrade this section of the national highway.
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| 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, DTMR 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 will build 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 will also be reviewed by the current study. This will ensure the information gathered in earlier studies is used in planning for an extended upgrade of the highway.
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| Canefields surrounding Ingham (2008) | Ingham township ( 2008) | John Row (Herbert River) Bridge (2008) |
Community engagement process
The DTMR, through EBC, 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 will provide advice to the DTMR and its consultants who are undertaking the community consultation. This will include advice:
- about the development and implementation of the community consultation process, and
- about how the community can get involved in the study's social and economic impact assessments.
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
Economic Impact Assessment (EIA)
As part of the consultation process, EBC consultants have been meeting with businesses that front the highway on Townsville Road, Lannercost Street and Herbert Street, to gain their input and gather data for an Economic Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA will assess the potential economic impacts of realigning the Bruce Highway. It will also examine the potential impacts of constructing the highway for the Ingham community
During consultation, business owners and/or managers were asked to complete an economic survey devised by economic consultants Marsden Jacob Associates. The information gathered from the survey is being collated to build a picture of the local economy which will underpin the assessment of alternative highway routes.
By participating in the EIA, the Ingham business community is helping to ensure local economic and social issues are taken into account during the development of a preferred highway option. The outcomes of the EIA will be publicly released in a report. This report will also develop strategies to reduce potential impacts on the business community.
John Row Bridge over Herbert River during 2009 floods.
What stage is the study at now?
The DTMR has refined the study area into two 'zones of interest' to the west of the existing highway route. Each zone covers a broad area that will be further investigated to come up with alignment options. These zones of interest are an outcome of preliminary engineering, flooding, environmental and cultural heritage analysis. EBC consultants also met with landholders that own property next to the existing highway, to gather local knowledge about the existing highway route north of Ingham.
Map showing "zones of interest" (high resolution 3MB)
Map showing "zones of interest (low resolution 1MB)
Townsville Road to Fairford Road section (high resolution 3MB)
Townsville Road to Fairford Road section (low resolution 1MB)
Identifying the zones of interest is simply one stage in the process of narrowing down the eventual alignment of the road. The zones are not road alignments. The decision on a preferred alignment is still some way off, and the community will have an opportunity to get involved in the planning process.
Will the highway remain through the centre of Ingham?
As part of their preliminary investigations, the DTMR looked at upgrading the existing highway route as well as options to build on an alternative alignment. The department thoroughly investigated the feasibility of upgrading Lannercost and Herbert Street to improve traffic access during the wet season, but found that this was not a viable option. In order to improve the flood immunity through town, the main road would be need to be raised significantly. This would increase flooding on nearby properties upstream and create significant connectivity and safety issues as the highway would need to connect to local roads and property accesses at different heights. Attempting to upgrade the existing highway under traffic would also greatly increase the time and cost of construction, as well as impact on existing infrastructure such as Rotary Park and on-street parking.
The DTMR is also aiming to improve safety and traffic flow for current and future traffic volumes. Leaving the highway through town would not improve traffic flow or address the safety issues caused by the current mix of local traffic, pedestrians and through traffic, in particular heavy vehicles.
Were options to move the highway to the east of Ingham considered?
The DTMR carefully considered options for alignments to the east of Ingham; however, these were identified as not viable for a number of reasons:
- any eastern option would require a longer route because it would need to start further south of Ingham to avoid existing infrastructure
- it would be at least double the cost of the two preferred zones to the west
- it would require substantially more drainage work and land acquisitions
- during initial consultation, Ingham businesses expressed the need to keep the highway as close to town as possible. The central and western zones of interest are closer to the town. Alignments in these zones would encourage travellers to the beach communities to pass through Ingham. Any eastern option would potentially dissuade travellers from passing through Ingham by providing direct access to beaches.
What happens next?
Community engagement consultants, EBC, will meet with all property owners identified within the zones of interest to get their input on potential alignments and gather vital local knowledge about water flow patterns, flood heights, flora and fauna, land surface, soil conditions and property access. The DTMR will also work closely with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, businesses, industry, and local organisations to develop a plan for the future highway.
Opportunities for the local community to get involved in the planning study will be advertised in the local paper and displayed on notice boards around the community. There will be public displays to attract community feedback about the zones of interest. Community updates about the planning study will also be mailed to residents of Ingham and surrounding areas.
Aerial view of the foothills of the Cardwell Range with Mt Cudmore Rd under water off to the right (2009).
Bruce Highway looking south towards Hawkins Creek Road (2009).
Flooding analysis
The DTMR has engaged flooding consultants, WBM, to examine the complexities of the Herbert River floodplain and the potential flooding impacts of a highway upgrade.
Options for alignments within the zones of interest will be carefully investigated so potential flooding impacts are taken into account. The aim is to minimise any flood water rise, whilst reducing flood closures on the highway.
The flood analysis will use 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 February 2009 flood event is also being used to validate the model. Extensive photographic and video data has been collected from community members and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council. EBC will also undertake a 'cognitive mapping' exercise with landholders identified within the zones of interest. Using an aerial plan of their property, landholders will identify 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 will help provide a comprehensive representation of the February 2009 flood in the area of the zones of interest. This will be used to verify the flood model and help development alignment options within the zones.
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.
Flood Risk Map (pdf 1.8Mb)
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
Other Project Documents
Advertorial (November 2008)
Contact Information
If you would like to talk to a consultant please call 1300 139 824 and leave your name and contact details and we will contact you and arrange a time to speak with you.
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.mainroads.qld.gov.au