The devastating scale and damage of the 2022 floods changed Council’s insurance risk profile, resulting in the loss of flood cover, leaving ratepayers exposed to financial impacts of further flooding events.
As a consequence, Council has been working strategically in partnership with the State and Commonwealth governments to improve its risk profile by moving key assets out of flood-prone areas and improving the resilience of others.
Council says it has regained (limited) flood cover after undertaking extensive work and investing over $50m to improve the resilience of its community assets.
Council’s investment in resilience has paid off
Underwriters and risk engineers recently inspected Council assets and determined Council’s investment in resilience has paid off. The lead underwriter has reinstated flood cover to Council.
This move that will deliver long-term financial savings and improve the region’s recovery capacity after major weather events.
Tweed Shire Council’s General Manager Troy Green said that communicating about the range and breadth of projects undertaken was key. ‘Our approach to this problem has involved some unconventional thinking and it was important to us that the underwriters knew the extent of the work we had done.’
This included sharing information about the $11m investment in Building Asset Betterment, the Industrial Land Swap and relocation of key council assets such as the Murwillumbah Works Depot and Animal Rehoming Centre to sites above Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) line, the removal of other assets completely from the flood plain such as the former Visitor Information Centre & Rainforest Centre and Possums Preschool; the restoration strategy with flood-hardy options and the flash flood alert system including 12 flood monitoring cameras, four new and upgraded flood pumping stations and riparian plantings.
Benefits of incorporating flood-resilience measures
Council’s flood team worked closely with Statewide Property Mutual and the lead underwriter to demonstrate the benefits of incorporating flood-resilience measures, such as replacing traditional fit-outs with flood-hardy materials, including epoxy flooring, blockwork, stainless steel and aluminium joinery, and raising power, data outlets and electrical switchboards above flood levels.
Mr Green said Council was also successful in securing multiple grants to support and continue the hardening of assets to ensure they withstand future weather events. ‘For this we are extremely grateful to both the State and Commonwealth governments and our local state and federal member for their ongoing support and advocacy in supporting flood resilience and mitigation strategies.’
New $33m Council depot
A major part of Council’s long-term strategy included the relocation and construction of a new $33m Council depot on flood-free land at Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah, attained through the land swap, another flood resilience measure from the NSW Climate Change and Regional NSW funds. The facility, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and Council contributions, is due for completion in June 2026. It will replace the existing Buchanan Street depot, which sustained significant damage in both 2017 and 2022.
Mr Green said that the new depot meant that Council assets were not only safer, but could be deployed faster to help the community in times of disaster. ‘We have been deliberate and strategic for our region’s future. By investing in resilience projects we’ve attempted to provide a win-win situation for everyone.’
Dedication and commitment
Tweed Shire Council Mayor Chris Cherry said she was relieved that the dedication and commitment to rebuilding back better has paid off. ‘Regaining our flood cover is a major win for the people of Tweed.’ Cr Cherry said.
‘It means we can keep delivering essential services, respond faster after disasters, and spend less on recovery and more on what matters most to our community.’
‘By investing in resilience measures, Tweed Shire Council is not only protecting vital infrastructure but also reducing the financial burden on the local community. The reinstatement of flood cover is a clear sign that this strategy is delivering results. ‘
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