Flood Resilience
The Flood Restoration Portfolio – Flood Resilience program is focused on enhancing the flood resilience of Lismore, by restoring and upgrading existing flood infrastructure such as flood pumps, flood gates, and urban stormwater channels used to expedite the removal of stormwater during flood events.
This page offers an overview of projects undertaken in response to the 2022 natural disaster.
For the information on current and recently-completed Flood Restoration Portfolio works, visit project updates page:
https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Business/Flood-Restoration-Portfolio/FRP-Project-Updates
View our user-friendly map, which lets users zoom in and out, toggle between different damage types and access detailed information about each site. This feature benefits nearby residents by offering essential insights, proposed remediation plans and estimated timelines.
How do these projects benefit the community?
Through this program, we are boosting the pumping capacity and reliability of Lismore’s levee system, which will allow us to keep community evacuation routes open as long as possible and limit stormwater damage during events where floodgates are closed. Additionally, it enhances Council’s responsiveness to weather events, with a new fibre optic link allowing improved control and increased monitoring of pumping stations.
How are these works funded?
The Resilience program is primarily funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP), administered by NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA). The Flood Restoration Portfolio team is working closely with NRRRP to ensure the maximum benefits can be realised through the program.
Is the Lismore levee height changing?
No, the levee height is not changing. Instead, we're working to realise the maximum benefit from the existing levee, with upgrades to the flood pumping stations increasing pumping capacity. This, combined with improved trash screens and control, is expected to make the overall system more reliable in managing stormwater during a flooding event. How the levee overtops and functions with the upgraded pumps is being assessed as part of the program to maximise program outcomes.
Lismore's levees in the CBD and South Lismore are designed for a 10% Average Exceedance Probability Event (previously known as a 1-in-10-year flood). Since completion in 2005, the levee system has only overtopped three times, in March 2017, and February and March 2022. Overtopping points are strategically positioned in order to minimise the impacts of fast flowing water on properties and infrastructure.
What is the purpose of the pump station upgrades?
The upgrades are addressing the reliability and operational resilience of Lismore’s flood infrastructure, to ensure it functions as best as it can during a weather event and bring the levee systems and components up to the same level of design. Some local catchments weren't addressed from a stormwater management perspective in the initial design, and those deficiencies within the levee system are being addressed under this program.
Which locations are being upgraded?
- Browns Creek Pump Station – Molesworth Street
- Browns Creek Channel – Brewster Street
- Browns Creek Inlet – John Crowther Carpark
- Gasworks Creek Pump Station – Shannon Street
- Lower Hollingworth Creek Pump Station – Riverview Park
- Magellan Street (CBD) Pump Station – Magellan Street, Molesworth Street
- Snow Street and Three Chain Road – Snow Street
Does the CSIRO report impact any of these plans?
The upgrades address deficiencies within the existing levee system and address resilience infrastructure objectives. The projects improve the reliability and function of the existing levee system and have been consciously designed for the future. The implementation of CSIRO’s mitigation recommendations can only increase the function of the levee system and further improve the outcomes of these resilience projects.