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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Confidential Byron Shire 2022 flood study to finally become public

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In 2022, Mullumbimby, like the entire north coast, was hit by the biggest flood in living memory. Last week, a majority of councillors agreed to ask the state government to consider these surrounding lands for future development as part of its Residential Strategy.
Photo Mullum Residents Association social media page

Locals with a particular interest in future flood risks in the north of Byron Shire are keenly awaiting the release of a flood behaviour analysis report for the Brunswick River.

The Post 2022 Event Flood Behaviour Analysis for the Bruns is one of seven post-flood behaviour analysis reports commissioned by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) following the 2022 floods.

The reports provide a technical review of the 2022 flood extent, and behaviour across Northern Rivers catchments, including Tweed River, Tweed coastal creeks, Brunswick River, Belongil Creek, Tallow Creek, Richmond River and Wilsons River. 

They are intended to improve knowledge of rare to extreme flood events and identify opportunities to improve flood modelling and flood risk management decisions.

East Mullum was one of many Byron Shire residential areas that was severely affected by the 2022 floods. Photo by Marie Oliver, of her backyard, in March, 2022.

The analysis of the Brunswick River has remained confidential pending the endorsement of the Floodplain Management Advisory Committee. That endorsement was provided on December 8, paving the way for it to be released to the public.

The committee has recommended that this be done with proactive advertising in the New Year.

A recently adopted Council policy, the Housing Options Paper, did not include 2022 flood data, but proposes to build on floodplains.

The Housing Options Paper will ‘inform’ Council’s Residential Strategy, which is a framework for future developments in the Shire over the next 20 years. 



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