As the Wilsons River continues to rise, Lismore City Council has assessed the Lismore Levee Operation Plan with the NSW SES.

They will soon commence early activation of the majority of the CBD flood gates.

The closure of these gates is being prioritised in response to the unpredictable nature of the cyclonic environment and reduces the need for staff to be exposed to adverse weather conditions.

The gates that will be closed are pedestrian and vehicle ‘access’ gates to carparks. They will not restrict critical flow paths or limit the urban area's ability to drain into the river.

Those flood gates that will NOT be activated are:

• 2 x Hollingworth Creek Upstream
• Hollingworth Creek Riverview Park
• Gasworks Creek
• Browns Creek Flood Gate

These five stormwater release gates need to be closed at specific river levels to ensure minimal localised flooding within the urban areas. They will remain open until these specific river levels are reached.

Lismore City Council has also mobilised its road crews to install the deflector wall near Keen Street and Richmond Lane (down the side of Singhs Tyre and Mechanical).

The deflector, also known as a Dutch Dam, is designed to protect buildings by diverting water and preventing damage caused by high-velocity debris.

This installation is being completed in consultation with impacted businesses and is ahead of schedule due to the unpredictability of weather conditions.