Six new flood monitoring cameras have been switched on in Tweed Shire, allowing residents to keep a close watch on rising water levels at key flood-prone roads during wet weather.
Council says the new cameras add to the existing suite of six cameras already in operation in the Tweed since 2022, which have proved invaluable during times of high rainfall and flooding.
The new flood monitoring cameras have been strategically located in collaboration with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) to gather critical intelligence during flood events.
The new cameras are mainly located on the Tweed Coast, at the following locations:
- Fingal Road at the low point near the second bridge, southwest of Wommin Lagoon.
- Clothiers Creek Road just east of the Pacific Highway.
- Pottsville Road on the corner just north of the wastewater treatment plant at Mooball.
- Wooyung Road by the floodplain crossing, just west of the fruit stall.
- Crabbes Creek Road at the first causeway.
- Terranora Road north of Dulguigan Road intersection.
These add to cameras already in place at Bilambil Sports Club, Boatharbour Bridge, Byangum Bridge, Murwillumbah Bridge, Piggabeen Road and Tweed Valley Way (at Oaks Avenue) near Chinderah.
Public access
Still photos captured by the cameras can be viewed at any time on Council’s website, with the vision refreshed every 15 minutes, providing a near-live view of the key road sites.
An updated Flood Monitoring Camera Policy, which is currently awaiting adoption by Tweed Council following community consultation, will allow for up to four hours of images at 15-minute intervals, greatly improving community access to real-time flood information.
The initial set of 6 cameras was funded under the Australian government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The installation of these additional six cameras has been made possible through $60,000 in funding from the NSW government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Program.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said, ‘They say being fore-warned is being fore-armed – knowing what the road conditions are like before getting into your car during heavy rainfall is invaluable,’ she said.
‘The first set of flood monitoring cameras have been a game-changer for us over the past two years, allowing residents, emergency responders and Council crews to quickly judge road conditions for themselves.
‘Knowing if the roads are safe and open takes the guessing out of it and allows residents to make informed decisions before heading out on the roads. Anything to help lower the level of anxiety in a community where past flooding trauma returns every time a big storm hits, is a positive thing.
‘We are very grateful to the NSW government for the funding to allow us to install an additional six cameras across the Tweed.’
Crucial addition
NSW government spokesperson for the North Coast Emily Suvaal MP said, ‘The addition of six new flood cameras in Tweed is absolutely crucial as we head into what is likely to be another wet summer.
‘This initiative is just one small part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure communities like the Northern Rivers are fully prepared for future natural disasters,’ Ms Suvaal said.
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot MP said, ‘Locals will now benefit from Labor’s six additional flood monitoring cameras in the Tweed Shire, an election commitment by the NSW Minns Labor government.
‘These six brand new flood cameras have been installed right across the Tweed and allow locals to view still photos captured every 15 minutes of local river heights.
‘Following the devastating 2022 floods, it was important for our community to have certainty and up to date information when it rains heavily and to keep an eye on river heights,’ Mrs Elliot said.
‘I want to thank our community who have fought hard for these cameras and the NSW Minns Labor government for delivering on their 2023 NSW state election commitment.’
How to watch
You can view images from the flood monitoring cameras at tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-monitoring-cameras or go to Tweed Council’s Emergency Dashboard.
To stay up to date with what’s happening on local roads, visit Council’s Roadworks and closures page, go to Live Traffic NSW or follow Tweed Council on Facebook.
The NSW SES is the emergency authority for flood, storms and tsunamis – call them on 132 500 or visit ses.nsw.gov.au.
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