Charge scheme concepts estimated at up to $32M

COST estimates for a special charge scheme at Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay estates have been released which range from $25M to $32M. 

Concept designs and options were also released, with several concepts for homeowners and ratepayers to consider. 

Council has been investigating implementing a charge scheme for over a year, which has become a highly contentious issue for residents of the estates.

Some property owners and ratepayers have been strongly opposed to the project, previously stating the shire is pushing ahead with it despite objections and a lack of support due to costs involved. 

While others have welcomed the scheme due to the ongoing dust and drainage issues plaguing the estates. 

However, the scheme is yet to be formally adopted and must pass a council resolution, scheduled for next year. 

Concepts

According to the shire, concept option 1 (Base Case) includes the minimum design elements required to treat flooding, dust and traffic safety issues.

This is estimated to cost between $1.68-$2.05M per km of road length constructed, placing the project at a broad range of $25.5-$31.2M.

“These base design elements include sealing the roads, installing kerb and channel, installing underground piped drainage in the road reserve and at the back of lots as required, installing a 1.5m concrete footpath on all roads and installing Watts style speed humps,” a report states. 

Option 2 - Street Enhancements

Includes the minimum design elements required to treat flooding, dust and traffic safety issues and also landscaped traffic calming features to fit in with the unique characterises of the area.   

Estimated cost of $1.71-$2.09M per km of road length constructed, total project cost in range of $26.0-$31.8M.   

“These base design elements include sealing the roads, installing kerb and channel, installing underground piped drainage in the road reserve and at the back of lots as required and also installing a 1.5m concrete footpath on all roads.  The added landscaped traffic calming features include a combination of various treatments such as landscaped narrowings, raised safety platforms, threshold treatments and Watts style speed humps.”

Option 3: Shared Path
The shared path option includes the minimum design elements required to treat flooding, dust and traffic safety issues and also landscaped traffic calming features and a coloured shared path along The Esplanade.  

Estimated cost of $1.75-$2.13M per km of road length constructed, total project cost range of $26.5-$32.4M.   

“The added landscaped traffic calming features include a combination of various treatments such as landscaped narrowings, raised safety platforms, threshold treatments and Watts style speed humps.  Instead of installing a 1.5m concrete footpath along The Esplanade, a 2.5m coloured shared path would be included.”

Council will be considering the installation of downstream Wetlands, Water Sensitive Urban Design swales in nature strips and sealing the tourist carparks.

The sealing of tourist carparks along beaches will also be considered as part of the project and funded by council.

A community reference group of over 100 property owners has also been formed.

According to the shire, in total there was feedback provided from 73 of the 135 community reference group members on the concept options. 

The next stage is to finalise the several options of concepts and the results and feedback from the reference group and a questionnaire, and present these to the community so that a preferred option can be selected.  

The next round of community consultation with options developed for the community to vote on and indicative cost ranges was planned for November-December.

A timeline of the scheme includes:

- February - March 2023 Council to adopt preferred treatment

- April - May 2023 Council meeting to fund through a special charge scheme

- June 2023 Community consultation to advise of decision

- July - August 2023 Council meeting to declare a special charge scheme

- September 2023 Commence detailed design and construction phase.