On-site repairs to storm-damaged riverbank to begin in June

SA Water, on behalf of the State Government, will progress the remediation of four sections of riverbank along the Torrens, with the $5.2 million program of works expected to be complete before the end of the year.

South Australian company SEM Utilities has been contracted to undertake the work at all four sites - Gilberton, Lockleys, Torrensville and Thebarton - which were damaged by storms in late 2016.

SA Water's General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery Mark Gobbie said the volume and frequency of visitors each site receives has helped to determine prioritisation of repairs, but safety remains the number one driver.

"As such, remediation of a 20-metre section of riverbank near Mersey Street in Gilberton will be carried out first," Mark said.

"Once site work is finished at Gilberton in late July, remediation will take place at the other three sites, starting with Lockleys, followed by Torrensville and then Thebarton, with final completion in the next six to seven months, subject to weather conditions.

"We will continue to update local stakeholders including residents and councils on the progress of work.

"The completion of repairs at each site will enable the relevant council to undertake repairs to their infrastructure within Linear Park and re-open adjacent walkways or bicycle paths to the public."

Management of the River Torrens and Linear Park is a joint state and local government responsibility, with SA Water sometimes called on to contribute our construction management and engineering expertise to help repair riverbanks.

Work being undertaken by SA Water at the four sites will vary between locations, and includes:

• set-up of materials, equipment and other resources on site
• debris and unstable soil removal
• some vegetation removal to ensure bank stability and safety of our workers and the community
• installation of concrete pins and gabion walls (specialised steel baskets filled with rocks) to support the riverbank through any future high water events
• temporary removal of existing infrastructure such as walkways and fencing, for better access during construction.

"Since receiving State Government funding earlier this year to repair the four sites, we have carried out a range of planning and design work. This includes coordinating site access with councils; arborist reports to ensure minimal impact on significant trees and other vegetation; heritage assessments; and engineering analysis," Mark said. 

"For the past 18 or so months, we have also been helping with similar repair projects along the Torrens, including the works adjacent the brewery at Hindmarsh and at Paradise."

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