Rutledge Street to Cardwell Range Planning Study
What is the planning study about?
What about previous studies, including the Herbert River to Cardwell Range Project?
Where should the future alignment be?
What is the planning study about?
The planning study has been commissioned by the Department of Main Roads to examine options for reducing road closures during the annual wet season on the Bruce Highway between Rutledge Street, at 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 5 days during the annual wet season. The planning study will investigate options for improving the flood immunity of the Bruce Highway across the Herbert River floodplain so it’s consistent with recent upgrades south of Ingham and Tully. This may include upgrading the existing route taken by the Bruce Highway as well as planning to build on a new alignment.
The aim of the study is to find a flooding solution that will improve traffic access and safety without significantly increasing flooding problems on nearby land. It will also look at upgrading the quality and features of the Bruce Highway to accommodate for future traffic patterns and growth.
Click here to view an aerial map of the area.
Engineering consultants, Maunsell AECOM, will undertake preliminary investigations and concept planning for the study and WBM will conduct the flooding analysis of the study area. Community consultation will be undertaken by EBC. The planning study commenced in October 2008 and is anticipated to take up to 3 years to complete.
Extensive community consultation will be undertaken 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, including the development of a detailed flood-model of the various options and an assessment of their potential impacts on nearby land.
- Environmental analysis including flora and fauna surveys and water and soil assessments. These will identify any environmentally significance areas or issues and how impacts on these can best be minimised.
- 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.
- Cultural Heritage assessments to identify and manage issues relating to cultural heritage resources and culturally significant areas, both Aboriginal and European.
The outcome of the planning study will allow Main Roads to apply for funding to upgrade this section of the national highway under future Auslink programs.
 |
 |
| Rotary Park in centre of Ingham (2007) | Floods in Ingham (1946 ) |
What about previous studies, including the Herbert River to Cardwell Range project?
In 2007, Main Roads looked at upgrading the existing highway between the Herbert River and the southern foothills of the Cardwell Range. During this project, Main Roads 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 by Main Roads in the 1960s will also be reviewed by the current study. This will ensure the information gathered in earlier studies is utilised in planning for an extended upgrade of the highway.
The website will be amended to include a picture of the alternative route around the Ingham township when it becomes available.
 |
 |
 |
| Canefields surrounding Ingham (2008) | Ingham township ( 2008) | John Row (Herbert River) Bridge (2008) |
Community engagement process
Main Roads will work closely with the local community throughout the entire study. 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) will be 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 of the local area. The committee will provide advice to Main Roads and its consultants undertaking the community consultation including:
- Advice on the development and implementation of the community consultation process,
- Advice and assistance in reviewing the broader community consultation process,
- Advice on 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 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) or would like more information about the PAC, please enter your name and telephone number below and a consultant will contact you.
 |
 |
|
| Area between Townsville Road and Fairford Road (1997) | John Row Bridge looking south to Ingham (1997) |
How will consultation work?
The consultation process includes four phases:
Timing to be added
- Phase I: Advertising and Communications
Advertising and informing the community of the planning study will occur from the outset and throughout each phase of the consultation process. The objective of advertising the study will be (i) to inform the community of the study and study activities; (ii) to provide and identify opportunities through which individuals are able to participate; and (iii) to provide feedback on the outcomes of each consultation phase.
- Phase II: Gathering Information and Scoping Issues
Phase II of the consultation process will occur concurrently with Phase I. This phase of the consultation process will focus on gathering local knowledge and information from the community which will be useful for the planning study and assist in the development of options. This will include consulting landholders and businesses along the existing highway route through the Ingham Township to the Cardwell Range as well as landholders to the east and west of the existing highway. Government authorities, local and regional bodies and Ingham residents will also be consulted to allow the local community to have their say on the highway upgrade. This consultation will provide data for the social and economic impact assessments.
- Phase III: Options Development and negotiation
Based on the outcomes from Phase II, consultation in this phase will focus on the negotiation and development of options with the local community.It will also involve economic and social impact assessments of the different options. This will ensure that potential impacts for certain groups and the community as a whole can be fully understood. Phase I of the consultation process, including advertising and communications would continue throughout this phase and may include the use of advertorial and public displays to communicate the different options and the processes being used to identify and evaluate options.
- Phase IV: Review Process
Phase I of the consultation process, including advertising and communications would continue throughout this phase of the project. The objective of the review process is to present the outcomes of Phase III to the broader community for comment and review. Clearly not all local residents and groups will have been directly involved in the negotiation and development of options in Phase III. In addition to the use of specific advertising and communications methods as described in Phase I, public displays will also be used in this phase of the study.
Current status
To include diagram of study timeline and where the study is currently, once program/methodology has been decided
Where should the future highway alignment be?
You can show us where you would prefer the future highway to go by clicking on the button below
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
None available at present
Other Project Documents
None available at present. All project documents to be provided in Italian as well?
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:
Rutledge Street to Cardwell Range Planning Study
Po Box 2447
Townsville Qld 4810
Background information on the project is also available from: www.mainroads.qld.gov.au