Continuing the Tweed Shire Council’s trend of asking the community for their opinion, residents of Murwillumbah are being invited to ‘actively participate in shaping the future of our town’ by looking at the Murwillumbah CBD Levee and Drainage Study and sharing their thoughts.
Tweed Council’s Manager Roads and Stormwater, Danny Rose, said the draft study was an opportunity for Council to work towards creating a safer and more flood-resilient community.
Understanding the flood risks
‘The original study, conducted in 2018, helped us to understand the flood risks and devise mitigation strategies for Murwillumbah. However, the 2022 flood event and the degree of business and residential losses in the CBD catchment prompted us to re-evaluate and expand on our initial plans,’ Mr Rose said.
‘We have already secured the support of the National Emergency Management Agency, through tranche 1 of the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, to fund pump station upgrades in Murwillumbah.’
The draft addendum study will be used to guide investment under this program by recommending a series of flood pump station upgrades. This will boost the capacity of the drainage systems behind the town levees while the river is in flood, to reduce the impacts of inundation.
Improve the town’s resilience
‘While we can’t make the town flood free, these measures will improve the town’s resilience and is a proactive step towards addressing worsening flood risk with a changing climate,’ he said.
‘The draft study thoroughly assesses these options, using new data and modelling of the 2022 flood. Recommended upgrades to the existing pump stations at Lavender Creek and Wharf Street will significantly improve performance and reduce economic losses.
‘However, we need your perspective to ensure that these recommendations properly reflect the needs of our town. Your involvement is important in shaping the future of Murwillumbah.’
Draft open for public feedback
The draft addendum to the Murwillumbah CBD Levee and Drainage Study is open for public feedback now until Wednesday 20 September 2023.
To have your say, make a written submission in one of the following ways:
- Online: Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/addendum-murwillumbah-cbd-levee-drainage-study
- Email: Send an email to [email protected] with the subject heading:
Addendum to the Murwillumbah CBD Levvee and Drainage Study - Mail to:
Murwillumbah CBD Levee and Drainage Study
General Manager
Tweed Shire Council
PO Box 816
Murwillumbah NSW 2484.
