The NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) has finally sent a response to the Lismore App's questions about the progress of the eleven Northern Rivers Recovery & Resilience Program (NRRRP) projects for Lismore.

As you read the progress for each project item, when you see the term "hydrology assessment', we have clarified that the data used is from the new CSIRO report from June 30, 2024.

The NSWRA said the hydrology assessment across all flood mitigation assets uses the new CSIRO Lidar data set.

There are 11 NRRRP projects in Lismore valued at $31.48m. Here is an update on how these projects are progressing:

• Extra pump at Lower Hollingworth pump station.

This project is in the design phase with a hydrology assessment, a structural assessment and a land survey currently being undertaken to determine the appropriate pump size and to outline any structural limitations at Lower Hollingworth Creek pump station. 

• Increase capacity in Browns Creek pump station.

This project is in the design phase with a hydrology assessment, a structural assessment and a land survey currently being undertaken to determine the appropriate pump size upgrade and to outline any structural considerations associated with increasing the capacity.

• Power supply backups for all pump stations.

This project will be incorporated within the upgrade of each individual pump site once the final technical configuration of each pump station is determined including the new pump sizes and the final configuration of the pump stations has been determined.

• Raise pump control rooms/towers in all pump stations.

This project is in the design phase with a structural assessment and a land survey currently being undertaken to determine any structural considerations associated with increasing the height of the control rooms and towers for all of the pump stations. The raising of the control rooms/towers will be incorporated within the upgrade of each individual pump site during construction.

• Refurbish Browns Creek flood gate.

This project is in the design phase with an assessment of Browns Creek flood gate to occur in the near future. Following the assessment, the remediation scope will be developed and completed prior to the upgrade of the Browns Creek pump station.

• Refurbish Upper Hollingsworth Creek flood gate.

This project is in the design phase with detailed designs currently being undertaken to increase the height of the electrical components and refurbish the flood gate.

• New electric submersible pump station (x2) at levee near Snow Street and Three Chain Road.

This project is in the design phase with a hydrology assessment and a land survey currently being undertaken to determine the final location and pump sizes at both Snow Street and Three 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.

This project is in the design phase with a hydrology assessment, a structural assessment and a land survey currently being undertaken to determine the appropriate pump size and to outline any structural considerations at the Transit Centre (Tractor pump station).

• Improved communications to critical infrastructure with capacity to install CCTV and advanced IT solutions.

This project is in the final design phase with the preferred route having been determined and tender documentation being developed. This will be released to market for delivery this calendar year.

• Trash racks will reduce the risk of rubbish and debris being washed/sucked into pump intakes and causing damage to pumps.

This project is in the development phase with a hydrology assessment and a land survey currently being undertaken to determine the final position and structural loading for the new trash racks.

• Lismore town and agricultural drainage revitalisation

This project is in the delivery phase with the town drainage revitalisation commencing July 2024. The agricultural town drainage revitalisation will commence in August 2024 with drainage surveys and the removal of woody vegetation.

A NSW Reconstruction Authority spokesperson said, "Australia’s largest disaster recovery and climate change adaptation program is underway in the Northern Rivers in response to Australia’s worst ever flood disaster.

"The NSW Reconstruction Authority is working with all levels of government and non-government organisations to deliver an innovative program of works which have the potential to transform the Northern Rivers into one of the most disaster resilient regions in the world.

"The Commonwealth Government has provided $150 million dollars to the NSW Government to deliver 36 flood mitigation and resilience projects across all seven local government areas (LGAs) in the Northern Rivers impacted by the devastating 2022 floods.

"The Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP) is now moving from design to delivery phase and aims to improve flood resilience, so communities recover quicker from future disasters.

No estimated completion date was given for the eleven projects, but it was certainly comforting to read that at least one project was in the delivery phase, with work to start next month, while the CCTV and IT solutions will be delivered by year-end. The more critical floodgates and pumps raise the question of whether they will be ready during the 2024/25 storm season.