Noosa Council has awarded the contract to repair the Noosa Waters Lock and Weir System to sole Kellybourke at a cost of about $1,822,000 with the total amount to be funded by the levy paid by the estate’s waterfront residents.
The Noosa Waters Lock and Weir System was built when the estate was established, and first commissioned in 1991, then gifted to Noosa Council.
The lock and weir system is chiefly comprised of an automated lock that allows passage for vessels, irrespective of tide conditions, into and out of the canal linking the estate waters with the Noosa River, a weir that maintains a consistent water level within the canal system, jetties either side of the lock to cater for boat users, and a salinity transfer system that pumps saltwater from the Noosa River to the headwaters of the canal.
All elements of the lock and weir system are maintained by Noosa Council with funding for operational works secured through a specific levy imposed on Noosa Waters’ residents for this purpose.
A condition assessment in 2020 identified the need for extensive renewal works along with replacement of a number of critical elements, including the lock gates and actuator motors in order to extend its usable life.
At a Special Meeting held last week council staff said the unique nature of the equipment involved and the need for a detailed construction methodology led them to seek a specialist contractor with the expertise to undertake the design and construction activities required in order to achieve the refurbishment outcomes.
Staff considered the tender from Kellybourke, despite being almost $850,000 over budget, was “reasonable, given the design, the methodology of construction needed and current market considerations for public works pricing“.
With not enough money in the levy budget to cover the work council will fund the shortfall of more than $800,000 with the money to be refunded over several years through an increased levy, staff said.
“If we don’t do the work, the lock and weir could fail.“
The meeting heard the lock gate and machinery had to be ordered from overseas and would take about seven months to be delivered.
Once the parts arrive, the lock and weir would be closed for a period of three to four months while the repairs were undertaken.
“Users will have to make other arrangements,“ staff said.
The Noosa Waters Residents Association (NWRA) was consulted on the project and additional costs at their annual general meeting on 13 November and the president was to be updated on council’s decision.
