February marks an important milestone for Lismore, with vital $1.28 million upgrades to the Gasworks Creek pump station in East Lismore now complete, boosting the city’s flood resilience. 

The project involved raising pumps and electrical systems above the record 2022 flood level of 14.4 metres, installing mechanical trash screens to prevent blockages, and improving overall pumping efficiency. Minor site refinements will continue over the coming weeks. 

Works were undertaken by Northern Rivers-based contractors: Steady State Pty Ltd and Engineered Project Solutions Pty Ltd.  

Lismore's pump stations are a critical part of the local flood mitigation system, designed to remove stormwater and localised flooding from within the levee walls and pump it into the Wilsons River.

However, the old pumps have insufficient capacity to handle high-intensity rain events, leading to localised flooding downtown, even when the levee gates were closed. Vulnerabilities in their electrical systems and a reliance on manual operations also hampered their performance. 

Construction will begin at Browns Creek, Magellan Street and a brand-new pump station in South Lismore later this year, as part of a $29.8 million upgrade funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. 

The Browns Creek pump station is the centrepiece of the overhaul. It was built in the 1970s to pump stormwater from the low-lying Lismore basin into the Wilsons River. The new station will be built to modern standards and will significantly increase pumping capacity. 

Start dates for the remaining two projects will be revealed in the coming months.  

The rollout of a new 10-kilometre fibre optic network last year will allow for the remote activation and control of Lismore’s flood pumps, once completed, during future weather events

Together, these enhancements will improve catchment response to rainfall when river levels rise.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said: “Flood recovery isn’t a quick fix – it’s a long-term commitment."

“These projects are part of a bigger picture that will make Lismore better prepared for whatever nature throws at us.” 

Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said: “The pump stations in essence act as the lungs of the Lismore flood levee system, they are actively working to keep the city as dry as possible when the river rises during big rain events, with ongoing upgrades making them more powerful and intelligent they will help better protect Lismore during future floods."

“They perform a vital role in extracting stormwater and localised flooding from behind the levee system and pump it back into the Wilsons River, minimising damage to homes and businesses downtown.” 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said: “This upgrade reflects how investment through the NRRRP is delivering practical improvements to Lismore’s flood-mitigation network, strengthening the city’s ability to cope with increasingly severe weather events."

“By modernising these ageing pump stations with more powerful, reliable and remotely operated systems, this program is supporting Lismore’s long-term efforts to reduce local flood impacts and protect homes, businesses and essential services during future storm events.”