Stage one of the $4 million project commenced in mid September last year for what was expected to be a six week works schedule.

However, wet weather and the discovery of poor quality material at the base of the culvert foundation led to extensive delays.

Bathurst Regional Council engineering services director Darren Sturgiss said the works, which were due to be completed at the end of January, will take another few weeks.

“The guardrail and pedestrian path across the new culverts over Queen Charlottes Vale Creek are still to be completed, along with the last of the creek widening works and site remediation,” he said.

“Storms during January have had an impact on the work timeline, as there has been up to one metre of water through the site at times which has limited access.”

Stage two of the works includes the construction of the levee and two stormwater pump stations that will have the capacity to pump 1500 litres of water a second.

“The completion of this work will provide flood protection to approximately 24 properties within the village of Perthville,” Mr Sturgiss said.

“Levee construction work will take around 36 weeks.

“The project will also require the pumps to be manufactured and an electrical substation to be installed.”

Mr Sturgiss said stage two will have less of an impact on traffic than stage one as it would be along the creek, rather than creek crossing.

Works will commence pending a successful funding application through NSW Office Environment and Heritage for funds.

“We anticipate the funding round will open in the first quarter of this year,” Mr Sturgiss said.