Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has commended Lismore City Council for funding and installing a gauge on Rocky Creek Dam’s spillway, a major improvement in flood warning infrastructure.

Ms Saffin said the Bureau of Meteorology eventually would take ownership and ongoing maintenance of the new gauge under its Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) Program.

“I recognise and thank Annie Kia, the coordinator of the Terania-Keerong Flood Safety Project, for her tenacity in pushing for functional and accurate river and rain gauges with Rous County Council and Lismore City Council,” Ms Saffin said.

“During the 2022 flood, the lack of reliable information was dangerous and distressing for many rural residents.

“I supported Annie and The Channon Resilience in their community campaign to get these critical gauges upgraded or installed, and I’ve strongly advocated for our local authorities to work together with the BoM to get this done.”

Lismore City Council’s Acting Chief Operating & Financial Officer Joshua Smith confirmed that installation of the new Rocky Creek Dam gauge was completed yesterday (Thursday, 19 June).

Mr Smith thanked Rous County Council for giving Council permission to install the gauge on its asset (the dam) and BoM technicians for providing technical advice on suitable equipment.

The gauge will be commissioned next week.