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October 20, 2026

Long-term road recovery from the 2022 floods begins

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Federal Minister for Emergency Management – Kristy McBain, Minister for Recovery and North Coast – Janelle Saffin, , and Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg, met this morning at the first site of the project at Wyrallah Road.

A contract awarded to a joint venture between CMC Group and JF Hull Holdings for the region’s largest road restoration package, is underway as part of Lismore’s long-term recovery from the 2022 floods.

Minister for Recovery and North Coast – Janelle Saffin, Federal Minister for Emergency Management – Kristy McBain, and Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg, met this morning at the first site of the project at Wyrallah Road.

Janelle Saffin, Kristy McBain, and Mayor Steve Krieg checking this crack to see if it would accommdate and Olympic sized swimming pool, or more of a toddlers splash hole at the Memorial Baths. Photo supplied.

More than 60 landslips

The major construction contract will enable critical repairs to restore roads from more than 60 landslips, improving reliability and reconnecting towns.

This marks a key milestone in restoring essential transport links across the Lismore region, with more than 50 road and transport infrastructure projects already completed, and almost 140 other projects currently in progress or under development.

Some projects have experienced delays or faced further damage due to the severe weather brought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025.

Steve Krieg, Janelle Saffin, and Kristy McBain, taking a last look at this giant crack at Wyrallah Road, before it’s gone. Photo supplied.

Work staggered over three years

Work will be staggered over three years to reduce impacts on local communities and make full use of a locally based workforce from the Lismore local government area.

Jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the permanent repairs are now underway, with the reconstruction projects giving communities confidence in the safety, reliability, and resilience of their roads for decades to come.

Additionally, close to $17 million in new funding is being provided to Lismore City Council to help restore its road infrastructure and make it more resilient against future flooding.
Through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package (RRTRP) and Essential Public Asset Reconstruction funding under the DRFA, several causeways across the region will be replaced to withstand future floods and improve road resilience.

An important step

Kristy McBain said this contract is an important step in Lismore’s recovery journey, delivering critical repairs that the community has been waiting for since the 2022 floods. ‘By investing in resilience, we are not just fixing what is broken – but we’re building back better to protect local residents from future flood events.

‘The focus on local workforce and staged construction outlines the commitment from the Australian and New South Wales Governments to support the Lismore region’s economic and overall recovery while minimising disruption to residents.

‘I would like to commend everyone that has been affected by the devastating natural disasters that have impacted the Lismore community for their strength, resilience and commitment to supporting each other in getting through difficult times.

Lismore region getting its mojo back

Janelle Saffin said the Lismore region is getting its old mojo back, as we step up our rebuild with some great new developments.

‘Our mission as we build back and emerge from recovery is to be improving the resilience of our infrastructure as we go.

‘This announcement means we can invest in our roads so that they are better able to withstand the weather events of the future.’

Steve Krieg said Lismore has come a long way already and there’s still more work to do. ‘These projects will reconnect villages and support our local economy.

‘Lismore is not just rebuilding – we are rising.’



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