Black Mountain landslide
Council is prioritising reconstruction of Black Mountain Road following the landslide to help minimise the impact on Black Mountain Road residents and surrounding communities.
There are three areas of Black Mountain Road in need of reconstruction, however the landslide near Eungella Drive - which has cut the road access - is a very serious landslide.
Initial geotechnical engineering reporting indicates that this is the most significant landslide to affect a road asset in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region in the last 30 years. It is noted as being approximately 120 metres wide and approximately 15 metres deep. While it may look as though the top could be easily repaired - when viewed from above - the depth of the slide, along with the soil structure and water content, make it a very complex situation.
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Council is prioritising reconstruction of Black Mountain Road following the landslide to help minimise the impact on Black Mountain Road residents and surrounding communities.
There are three areas of Black Mountain Road in need of reconstruction, however the landslide near Eungella Drive - which has cut the road access - is a very serious landslide.
Initial geotechnical engineering reporting indicates that this is the most significant landslide to affect a road asset in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region in the last 30 years. It is noted as being approximately 120 metres wide and approximately 15 metres deep. While it may look as though the top could be easily repaired - when viewed from above - the depth of the slide, along with the soil structure and water content, make it a very complex situation.
Keeping updated
To make sure you’re kept updated on this project, fill out the ‘subscribe’ box to the right of this text.
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Reconstruction Design Progress
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe design is nearly complete. There has been about a 2-week delay in the program to allow for an engineering peer review to be completed. This step was required due to the high value of the project to help satisfy the grant requirements for both federal and state government. The review has resulted in additional design are to be incorporated such as further geotechnical and drainage features that help ensure a more robust outcome.
In early April, we will publish a summary of the design that will be issued for public tender.
UPDATE (22 May 2023): Refer to Project Tender Documents for Design update.
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When will you start work on Black Mountain Road?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Black Mountain Road Landslide reconstruction works are targeted to start in April 2023, subject to contractor resources and weather permitting. To ensure you are kept informed with any updates, please fill out the ‘subscribe’ box at the top right corner of this webpage.
UPDATE (22 May 2023):
The progress of reconstruction of the Black Mountain Landslide and Landslips continue. There are 3 sites that require reconstruction:
- The large Landslide which resulted in the road closure and the detour
- A smaller landslip on Black Mountain Road, Black Mountain, nearby Eungella Drive
- A smaller landslip adjacent to property line # 383 Black Mountain Road, Black Mountain
The two smaller landslips have now completed their procurement phase and Council are in the process of executing the contract and construction will commence soon and finish prior to the start of the large Landslide.
The larger Landslide is currently in the procurement phase. This limits some of the information we can share but we can advise that due to the intense interest and some late design updates the tender will now close on 5 June 2023 in lieu of 24 June 2023. This is in part due to:
- 26 contractors have expressed interest in submitting a response;
- There are currently 180 questions tabled by the contractors which range from simple to answer to the need for further design clarification.
This extension of time is important so that all clarifications are dealt with to ensure Council has a robust Contract with the selected contractor. It is still expected that a selected supplier can be endorsed by Council in early July. This is because the project team, Council Executive Team and the Councillors are prioritising this action. expecting to action.
Until we have an executed Contract with a selected contractor, Council is not able to provide a timing plan that will indicate the start and finish date. This is reliant of the availability of equipment, material and the labour. However, please be assured the procurement process including the evaluation of the contractor offers includes review of the timing plan as we understand the impact this is having on the community.
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Can you provide an access track around ‘The Donkey Track’?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkMultiple geotechnical and engineering specialists have inspected this site to determine alternate access route feasibility, and each have confirmed that creating an alternate access track is unsafe due to slope instability.
Council will be installing heavier, more permanent barriers early in the week beginning 19 December 2022 to replace the current water filled barriers and continue to strictly prohibit access. Please follow signage and do not enter the landslide area as safety cannot be guaranteed.
UPDATE (22 May 2023): This area is still considered to be unsafe for use. There are signs, water filled barriers and steel barriers indicating that you should not cross this area. Once construction commences, this area will be completely blocked off as a construction zone and no unauthorised access will be permitted. Please make plans to travel the detour route as this will be the only way to enter and exit the western side of Black Mountain Road.
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What is the road maintenance plan for the detour route?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCouncil continues to focus on maintenance of the detour road. As committed, there continues to be weekly inspections and where possible, road repairs are being made on the Detour Road.
Council recognised that a weekly asphalt patching maintenance plan for Middle Creek Road was not going provide the outcomes expected and pulled ahead the planned construction works to resurface and widen Middle Creek Road. With this upgrade to the Middle Creek Road, the need for Council Patching Crew to treat the road will be significantly reduced.
However, the gravel roads continue to need ongoing focus from Council. The works done to date include:
- Initial grader and road widening on gravel section of Black Mountain Road in March 2022
- Grading works of gravel detour roads in mid-2022
- Temporary Crossing at Slate Creek built and water height sensor installed
- Middle Creek Road upgraded late 2022
- Grading works of gravel detour roads in December 2022.
- Grading works on gravel detour roads in March/April 2023.
Why can’t Council do more?
- Council has a single grading crew to carry out works on unsealed roads all year-round.
- A grader and roller are the most effective way to improve defects, corrugations, road narrowing, dust particles and pot-holes. Interim works tend not to withstand the level of traffic and weather conditions the Detour Road is experiencing.
- To improve productivity, the Grader Crew have zoned areas they work on – often gravel roads in areas nearby. Moving the grading crew from another Zone out of sequence is difficult and costly. Where there is an emergency, the crew will work out of sequence as they did at the time of the Feb/Mar Storm event.
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Will my roadside waste service return?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCouncil’s waste collection contractor, Cleanaway has completed several risk assessments and deemed sections of the detour route unsafe for roadside waste collection. As safety is Council’s priority, temporarily ceasing this service is understandable. A waste corral has been established nearby the Anderson and Black Mountain Road intersection with extra bins to maintain waste collection for BMR residents. This collection occurs twice a week.
Council understands this is highly inconvenient and will continue to seek ways to improve this situation for residents. We thank the residents who have been so proactive in maintaining the useability of this service.
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Can Council fix the online maps?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOften, Online maps such as Google Maps and Apple Maps shows incorrect information regarding which section and length of BMR is closed which causes frustration and difficulties for residents and their visitors. Unfortunately, due to the open-source system, Council cannot control how detours and road closures appear. Having said that, both Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads have the closure clearly marked on our public maps and Council staff regularly submit amendment requests to companies such as Google.
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Can the detour be more clearly signed?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDetour signs are now located as per the recommended guidelines. There is also an electronic signboard located on the eastern side of the detour to help remind people that businesses are still operating and to follow the detour.
We ask residents to continue to be aware of any further temporary signage that will be used in the area for reconstruction of the four sites along Black Mountain Road, along with works on other areas such as Middle Creek Road.
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How do I know if the Slate Creek Causeway is flooded?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCouncil encourages the community to use the Noosa Council Disaster Dashboard which you can find at this link https://disaster.noosa.qld.gov.au/.
If you go to the “Emergency News” button you will find all the details to access the Yabby sensor site. This will provide you real time information about the water levels at Slate Creek.
The Disaster Dashboard also provides you many other helpful resources to use during an emergency event, or even to help prepare for one.
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Want to know more about Disaster Resilience and your risk?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkNatural disasters impact thousands of Queenslanders every year. Each disaster has lasting effects on people, their property and their possessions. Disasters can happen fast and without much warning. This means that it is hard to react to a disaster if you have not planned for one.
People who get ready before a disaster will know what to do and have the things they need to act quickly and stay safe. The best way to protect you and your family is to have a good plan.
The following resources provide important information to assist all residents with their disaster management planning:
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11 April 2023
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30 March 2023
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24 March 2023
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28 February 2023
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09 January 2023
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16 January 2023
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20 December 2022
Plan for reconstruction (dates shown are approximate and subject to change)
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Phase 1 - Engineering Investigation (completed)
Black Mountain landslide has finished this stageHas been completed but monitoring will continue.
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Phase 2 - Funding Submission (completed)
Black Mountain landslide has finished this stageSubmission reached approval phase and remains subject to final QRA endorsement.
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Phase 3 - Design (Jan 2023 - early April 2023)
Black Mountain landslide has finished this stageThe concept design, including reviewing the options has been completed. The final design is currently in process. Council will include assessments such as environmental arborist reports and cultural heritage during this phase.
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Phase 4 - Procurement (Feb - March 2023)
Black Mountain landslide is currently at this stageAs the construction work exceeds $25,000,000 it will need to be offered via a tender process to find the most suitable contractor to undertake the reconstruction.
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Phase 5 - Construction (April 2023 - mid 2024)
this is an upcoming stage for Black Mountain landslideOnce a contractor is selected and Council receives final approval of the funding value from QRA, construction will commence.
Who's Listening
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Noosa Council
Project updates
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23/12/2022 - Middle Creek Road, Federal - Road Improvements
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Past project news documents
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Project News 14 - Black Mountain Landslide (462 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 13 - Black Mountain Landslide (791 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 12 - Black Mountain Landslide (484 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 11 - Black Mountain Landslide (1 MB) (pdf)
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Project News 10 - Black Mountain Landslide (515 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 9 - Black Mountain Landslide (340 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 8 - Black Mountain Landslide (366 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 7 - Black Mountain Landslide (914 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 6 - Black Mountain Landslide (712 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 5 - Black Mountain Landslide (1 MB) (pdf)
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Project News 4 - Black Mountain Landslide (515 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 3 - Black Mountain Landslide (356 KB) (pdf)
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Project News 2 - Black Mountain Landslide (1.04 MB) (pdf)
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Project News 1 - Black Mountain Landslide (384 KB) (pdf)
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Project News - Cnr Black Mountain Road and Crawfords Road Landslip Construction Advice.pdf (467 KB) (pdf)
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Project news - Black Mountain Road update 15.pdf (1.27 MB) (pdf)
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Flood Recovery and Resilience resources.pdf (150 KB) (pdf)