It has been a long time coming, but finally, the 36 projects being rolled out as part of the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP) are moving from design to delivery phase with the aim of reducing the impact of future disasters to create a better position for communities to recover faster.

The Albanese Government first announced the $150 million project in February 2023 (fourteen months ago) when Senator Murray Watt visited Lismore. Back then a number of the projects were classified as "shovel ready".

Even State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin told the Lismore App in May 2023, "We’re going in circles. Can someone please step in and take charge of this recovery so we don’t go round in circles. These projects were shovel-ready and don't need an implementation plan."

"On behalf of the community, we just want to see action and not another plan."

Fourteen months later, someone may be ready to pick up those shovels and start work.

Bridge expansions, upgraded pumps, enhanced evacuation routes and nature-based projects are just a few of the 36 projects to be rolled out.

A key project of the NRRRP is the $40 million expansion of the two bridges which provide access to Ballina Island. To improve evacuation capabilities during flood events, the bridges at Fishery Creek and Tamarind Drive in Ballina, will be duplicated to create dual lane access.

This construction will significantly improve evacuation times, reducing the risk to lives in Ballina, and potentially curb infrastructure repair costs by minimising localised road flooding.

A further two bridges will be built in Tatham along the Woodburn to Coraki Road, improving evacuation routes, access for emergency services, and vital supply routes in the Richmond Valley. In total, the four new bridges represent $58 million of the $150 million funding for the NRRRP.

Another significant project being rolled out in Lismore CBD is the installation of an electric pump station at Lismore Rowing Club, which currently requires a tractor to be driven to the site to operate it manually during flood events.

The new pump is one of $31.5 million worth of projects that will come to life under the NRRRP in Lismore. This list includes the refurbishment of flood gates, drainage improvements, works on flood channels and the upgrade of several pumps.

Outside of Lismore, work is already underway on several of the NRRRP projects including $5.7 million to repair the structural integrity of the Woodburn to Coraki Road at Bungawalbin and Swan Bay in the Richmond Valley, one of the last sections of main road in the area to reopen following the floods.

The first NRRRP project has been completed, which was a small study to evaluate options for flood free access to Junction Hill via the Summerland Way in Grafton.

The projects outlined on February 2023 were:

Regional community flood risk awareness - 16 proposals

• A regional program to increase community flood risk awareness partnering with all LGAs, including flood risk information campaigns and flood warning signs.
• Regional and local floor level surveys - 2 proposals
• A regional program to complete floor level surveys for building across all LGAs to input into flood risk assessments.
• Evacuation road infrastructure - 4 proposals
• A regional assessment of evacuation routes, their capacity and options for infrastructure upgrades across all LGAs.
• Community-led resilience - 1 proposal
• Community-led resilience initiatives such as the Community-led Resilience Teams (CRTs). This is to ensure that community-led resilience efforts are supported across all LGAs. CRTs provide a formal structure, direction and guidance which complement community resources, people and capacity. CRTs enable the collective community voice to be channelled externally benefitting emergency management organisations such as SES, RFS and Councils. Local communities know their history, risks, people, resources, capacities and geographical locations better than anyone outside their community.

LISMORE

• Flood risk management infrastructure - upgrades and maintenance of existing flood management infrastructure - 14 proposals
• Extra pump at Lower Hollingsworth pump station.
• Increase capacity in Browns Creek pump station.
• Power supply backups for all pump stations.
• Raise pump control rooms/towers in all pump stations.
• Refurbish Browns Creek flood gate.
• Refurbish Upper Hollingsworth Creek flood gate.
• New electric submersible pump station (x2) at levee near Snow Street and Thre Chain Road.
• Install an electric pump station to replace the tractor driven pump at the rowing club to remove CBD stormwater. Will improve evacuation from the CBD and providing better access to critical infrastructure and emergency services.
• Improved communications to critical infrastructure with capacity to install CCTV and advanced it solutions.
• Trash racks will reduce the risk of rubbish and debris being washed/sucked into pump intakes and causing damage to pumps.

Further on-ground works and project management for NRRRP projects will be coordinated by the NSW Reconstruction Authority in accordance with the Emergency Response Fund Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program 2022–23 – Federation Funding Agreement.

To ensure local businesses know about the NRRRP’s technical requirements and the pipeline of projects, the RA held industry briefings in Murwillumbah on April 3 and in Casino on April 4, with over 80 people in attendance at both.

More information about projects can be found on the Reconstruction Authority’s website here

Federal Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, Senator Tony Sheldon said, “It’s really exciting to see these mitigation and long-term resilience projects in the Northern Rivers underway, and we’re proud to support disaster prone communities prepare to withstand future weather events.

“While we are continuing to work with the NSW Government to deliver the right infrastructure to help protect and mitigate against future disasters, it’s really important that we recognise this significant milestone in the region’s recovery.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “These 36 projects help support the Northern Rivers Region to drive long-term resilience for the community.

“Each of these projects aim to mitigate the impact of future disasters and allow the community to recover more quickly.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “Many of these projects have been suggested by community members or been on councils’ books for many years without the funds to implement them.

“It’s a vital first step towards mitigation, adaptation and building resilience and restoring community confidence before the next disaster strikes.”

We can only hope those projects are completed before the next flood, which, as we know, is only a matter of time.