RE: Day 3 Wed10 Dec 2025 11:33
BigW, I researched this on Monday when the RNS dropped and just doubke checked figures again.
🧱 BASIC UNSEALED ROAD - (single-lane gravel, minimal pavement, compacted) — realistic range: A$1.0M → A$3.5M.
🧱 UPGRADED GRAVEL ROAD / stronger resheet (higher quality subbase, heavier compaction, better drainage): A$2.5M → A$6.5M.
Quick Breakdown:
👌Plant & crew (clearing, grader, spread, compaction, supervision): A$100k → A300k total (depends on how long crews are on site and whether they hire/own plant).
👌Mobilisation / demobilisation / site establishment: A$30k → A$60k.
👌Drainage works (culverts, headwalls, side drains) and minor earthworks: A$20k → A$60k (low if very few culverts; higher if multiple crossings needed).
👌Contingency, contractor margin, design & approvals (incl. environmental surveys if required): typically 5-10% of construction cost.
Combining these with material haul gives the total ranges shown above.
Total material required is 60,750t for the second option which is the upgraded road.
Material + haul unit cost examples (correct as of Oct 2025 im Patterson area):
A$35/t → material = A$2,126,250
A$42/t → material = A$2,553,150
A$50/t → material = A$3,037,500
So total costs rounded up.
Plant & crew: A$250k approx - plus DL's cut 🤣🤣🤣
Mobilisation/site setup: $50k - possibly slightly more, possibly less if using Nifty Camp.
Drainage & culverts - A$50-80k max
Contingency / margin (≈10%) to include permits and surveys.
A$2.5m - approx for materials - depending on delivered price / haulage costs of course - but this wont be far out.
So I stand with my Costs, double checked and then benchmarked against previous projects .
Ignore the posters that want to build a full blown M4 motorway - those costs are well known in Aus and it really isnt that hard to double check them.