Access set to be restored

City of Mount Gambier is finalising remediation work at the sinkhole in the walkway between Margaret Street and the Railway Lands, with public thoroughfare access to be reopened next week.

The cavity first appeared when the bitumen collapsed following heavy rain in June 2023. An independent geotechnical investigation was undertaken by engineering consultants which recommended filling the 30 square metre void.

Acting City of Mount Gambier General Manager City Infrastructure Karl Manarangi said council has been monitoring the site for movement in the sinkhole after remedial works were undertaken last month, and there has been no movement to date.

“Therefore, the walkway will be accessible to the public once again early next week and the toilets will also be reopened,” he said.

“We are still awaiting a contractor to apply the final layer of asphalt to reseal the top of the sinkhole. This should occur within the next eight weeks and the site may be closed for a day to enable this work to occur.

“The area around the sinkhole will remain fenced off until the resealing works are complete, however the walkway will still be accessible.”

Total remediation work costs for the project are sitting at approximately $160,000.