Water security is high on the agenda of Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg and other councillors on Rous Country Council for the next four years in the Northern Rivers.

Residents of Mullumbimby have had their water supply greatly enhanced today after the announcement of the $6 million Mullumbimby Water Main Upgrade project.

The project will be delivered in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA), NSW Public Works and Byron Shire Council.

Mullumbimby’s water supply, sourced from Laverty’s Gap weir on Wilsons Creek, was severely impacted during the 2019/20 drought and the 2022 floods, with an emergency connection to the regional water network activated to provide water to part of the town.

These events highlighted the need for an expanded emergency water supply to provide water to the entire town, which is why the Mullumbimby Water Main Upgrade project was funded from the $145 million Northern Rivers Water and Wastewater Repair and Recovery Program.

The project will provide water security for the Mullumbimby community in times when the regular water supply is disrupted.

Work includes the installation of a new, dedicated water main within the road reserve of Tandy’s Lane between Pacific Highway and Gulgan Road, and from Mullumbimby Road/Manns Road to the town’s Azalea Street Reservoirs.

A new water booster pump station and bypass will also be installed at the Azalea Street reservoir site and minor water main upgrades will be made at the Left Bank Road/Tristran Road intersection.

These upgrades will make sure there is an ongoing reliable and safe water supply for Mullumbimby, improving the town’s resilience during future adverse weather events. This project is expected to be completed mid-2025.

Keane Civil & Construction have been engaged to complete the Mullumbimby Water Main Upgrade, for Byron Shire Council.

For more information, go to Mullumbimby Water Main Extension - Byron Shire Council.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “The 2022 floods exposed vulnerabilities in water infrastructure across the Northern Rivers.

“Providing a secure water system is the foundation of any modern city and this project is critical in building back resilience and reliability in Mullumbimby’s water supply.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “Access to water is a basic human right and doing this work now will ensure the Mullumbimby community withstands the next flood in much better shape.

“I look forward to more announcements benefitting other local communities under the NSW Government’s Northern Rivers Water and Wastewater Repair and Recovery Program.”