The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale has awarded a contract for repair and reconstruction works at Karnup Rd, after a sinkhole has kept the road closed for more six months.
In July 2021, storms and flooding led to the collapse of a water culvert running below Karnup Rd, near Wellard Rd, causing residents to detour.
On December 23, the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale announced on its website that a contract to complete the works had been awarded, with a commencement date for works “expected to be the end of January 2022.”
Following the storms, an inspection of the collapsed culvert found that it had, “substantially rusted out and reached end of useful asset life” and that “hollowed sections of the pipes, due to extensive rusting, had allowed for loss of fill material surrounding the pipes causing the sink hole”.
The Shire’s asset register showed a condition rating of ‘good’, which, according to the report, contradicted the ‘very poor’ condition of the culvert, suggesting the asset register was, at that time, inaccurate and out of date.
In August last year the State Government announced a funding program under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFAWA), but according to the report submitted to council, the condition of the asset meant that any application for funding through this program was “very unlikely”.
But the Shire has made application for funding under the program and is awaiting an outcome.
Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale President, Cr Michelle Rich told The Examiner that the condition of the culvert was assessed in 2018.
“A condition assessment of the asset was carried out by an external consultant as part of the asset re-evaluation process in 2018,” she said.
“This assessment was based on age of the asset and at the time of the report showed the culvert as in good to fair condition.”
“The Shire is currently working towards the improvement of data capture and recording,” said the President.
“Initiatives are ongoing, including assessment of high-risk assets and subsequent physical inspection.”
At the September 20 council meeting, councillors moved to authorise a budget for the repairs to a maximum value of $800,000, but the total contract awarded in tender is substantially less at $480,726.35.
President Rich said the Shire recognised that the process was a long one.
“We appreciate the community’s patience,” she said.
“The culvert failure was unexpected and following the initial, emergency repairs, it was established that more extensive repair works were needed.”
“This required design work to be carried out, relevant approvals and following our procurement process to secure a contractor to carry out the works.”
Works for the project are scheduled to begin in late January with an expected completion date of late March.
The Shire expects the road to be accessible from early April.
