Curry Project Management was responsible for the project and construction management of the Sedan Dip Road Betterment project, funded through the 2019 Betterment Program. This program, a joint initiative by the Australian and Queensland Governments, aimed to build more resilient public infrastructure in response to damage caused by the North and Far North Queensland Monsoon Trough (25 January – 14 February 2019). The project involved enhancing essential public infrastructure to improve resilience against future disaster events, ensuring long-term functionality for the community. CPM oversaw the full lifecycle of the project from design to execution.

Key areas of responsibility included:

• Managing the betterment of Sedan Dip Road to enhance its resilience against future extreme weather events.
• Overseeing the construction works aimed at building back better, ensuring that the new infrastructure could withstand future disasters more effectively.
• Ensuring the project aligned with the objectives of the Queensland Disaster Resilience and Mitigation Investment Framework (QDRMIF) and the Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience (QSDR).

Specific Responsibilities Under the Contract
The project management team was tasked with:

• Managing the design and construction of the road upgrades to ensure resilience in future disaster events, meeting the requirements of the DRFA Betterment Program.
• Ensuring the project fully leveraged the Category D DRFA Betterment funding to go beyond restoring the road to its pre-disaster condition, instead building a more robust and durable road infrastructure.
• Implementing strategies to strengthen disaster risk management for the Sedan Dip Road, in line with the Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience.

Procurement and Delivery
CPM managed the procurement process for the Sedan Dip Road Betterment project, ensuring that:

• A robust tendering process was conducted to select contractors capable of delivering high-quality and resilient road infrastructure.
• The procurement plan optimised local supplier engagement to support the community and ensure timely completion of the works.
• Throughout the project’s delivery, CPM conducted regular site visits and safety inspections, ensuring that the road betterment works were carried out to the required standards.

Submissions and Compliance
CPM guided the Cloncurry Shire Council through the DRFA submission process, ensuring that:

• All project-related documentation, including pre- and post-construction evidence, was accurately submitted to secure funding and demonstrate compliance with the objectives of the Betterment Program.
• CPM prepared reports outlining the increased resilience achieved through the project, showing how the works contributed to the Queensland Disaster Resilience and Mitigation Investment Framework (QDRMIF).

Contractor Coordination
The project management team ensured that the contractor:

• Oversaw the reconstruction of Sedan Dip Road to ensure it was built to higher resilience standards, including more durable road materials and designs capable of withstanding extreme weather.
• Utilised local resources and suppliers where possible to support the community and optimise the project delivery process.
• Managed on-site personnel to ensure all works were completed according to the quality, safety, and environmental standards outlined in the project’s framework.

As-Built Construction Data
CPM ensured detailed as-built records were maintained throughout the Sedan Dip Road Betterment project, documenting all improvements made to increase resilience. These records were crucial in demonstrating the enhanced durability of the infrastructure in compliance with DRFA funding requirements and disaster resilience strategies. The as-built data was submitted to the Cloncurry Shire Council and relevant government bodies to ensure full accountability and compliance with the Betterment Program’s goals.

Reporting and Acquittal
CPM ensured that all project reporting was completed in compliance with DRFA requirements, including:

• Detailed progress reports were submitted to Cloncurry Shire Council and relevant government bodies, tracking expenditures, milestones, and completion percentages.
• Once the project was completed, CPM lodged the final acquittal report, including evidence of completed works, final costs, and detailed project outcomes.

The Sedan Dip Road Betterment project successfully enhanced the resilience of essential public infrastructure, ensuring the road could better withstand future natural disasters, contributing to the broader goals of Queensland’s disaster resilience strategies.