North Coast Northern Rivers Water and Wastewater Repair and Recovery Program
Services
Contact point
Background
Following the flooding in the Northern Rivers area in February/March 2022 a preliminary on-ground assessment of Water and Wastewater (W&WW) Infrastructure in the NSW North Coast areas was undertaken. This preliminary assessment identified substantial damage had been sustained by many W&WW systems within the NSW North Coast area, leaving some systems inoperable.
The program has been developed to assist Local Water Authorities on the NSW North Coast to bring their critical water and wastewater infrastructure back to the necessary levels of service following the 2022 flood events. The program also provides scope for large scale improvements in the flood resilience of critical infrastructure.
Delivery of the program is being led by NSW Public Works (NSWPW) and is a partnership between Reconstruction Authority/Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (RA/NRICO), DPE Water (formerly Water Infrastructure NSW), and the Local Water Authority (Councils, County Councils and LALCs).
Repairing water and wastewater assets to support Northern Rivers flood resilience
Key project facts
- 84 projects make up the Portfolio Program, across 8 local councils.
- In excess of 70 projects have now progressed from scoping studies to delivery stage of the phase 2 program of works.
- Program partners include the Reconstruction Authority/Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (RA/NRICO), Department of Planning and Environment – Water, and the Local Water Authority (Councils, County Councils and LALCs).
- Project is ongoing with phase 2 expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Nimbin water supply pictured right after 2022 flood event.
Our Role
NSWPW, in partnership with Local Water Authorities, undertook preliminary inspections and assessments of damaged infrastructure.
Phase 1 – Repair and Make-Safe
These works were undertaken by Local Water Authorities with assistance, where possible or requested from NSWPW, DPE Water, Local Councils, County Councils and LALCs.
Phase 2 – Recovery and Flood Resilience
The program’s indicative completion date is 2026, pending NRRC funding horizon extension approval. The works encompass larger-scale recovery projects that repair or replace infrastructure that has been impaired by the flood events, and/or betterment works that provide improvements to the long-term flood resilience these assets.
These projects were nominated by the councils represented in the portfolio (Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Tweed, Rous, Richmond Valley), and submissions assessed by NSWPW.
The delivery of these works follows a staged approach. Working with each council or Water Authority, NSWPW will facilitate initial options and scoping studies (where required), followed by detailed planning, preconstruction, and environmental approvals, in advance of procurement and delivery/construction.
