Lismore’s CBD will be better protected from localised flooding, with a major upgrade to the Browns Creek Pump Station set to begin construction in November.
The $16.5 million rebuild will significantly increase the amount of stormwater that can be moved from behind the levee during flood events, helping reduce localised inundation and maintain access to homes, businesses and key transport routes for longer.
The Browns Creek Pump Station upgrade is funded by the federal government through the $150 million Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Two new pumps will increase the station’s capacity from 4,000 litres of water per second to 10,000 litres per second, allowing it to move two and a half times as much water as the existing system.
Together, the new pumps will be capable of moving the equivalent of more than 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools every hour and will be able to start operating at lower water levels, allowing pumping to begin earlier during a flood event.
The existing pump station will remain operational throughout construction, maintaining the current level of service while the new infrastructure is delivered.
Why Browns Creek matters
Browns Creek Pump Station has formed part of Lismore’s flood mitigation infrastructure since the 1970s, helping to manage stormwater in and around the CBD.
The station is particularly important during flood events where river levels are high but remain below the levee height. During these events, the pumps remove stormwater that would otherwise become trapped behind the levee.
This helps reduce localised inundation and can maintain access to homes, businesses and key transport routes for longer.
When river levels exceed the levee and floodwaters enter the basin, the pumps are temporarily switched off. Once river levels fall and conditions allow, pumping resumes to help remove water from within the city.
Planning for construction
Construction is expected to commence in November 2026 and be completed in late 2027, weather and site conditions permitting.
The Molesworth Street entrance to Clyde Campbell Car Park will close in early December to allow the establishment of a construction site compound, with the car park remaining accessible via Keen Street.
From early January, Molesworth Street will be closed to through traffic near the Koori Mail building, with a detour in place via Zadoc and Keen Streets. These traffic arrangements are expected to remain in place until the end of construction.
A temporary roundabout has been installed at the intersection of Zadoc and Keen streets to support traffic movements during construction.
Lismore City Council says it is working directly with affected businesses and property owners and will provide further information to the community ahead of changes to traffic and access arrangements.
Together with works underway at the Magellan and Snow Street pump stations, the Browns Creek project forms part of ongoing investment in Lismore’s flood mitigation infrastructure.
Practical investment
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, ‘The Browns Creek Pump Station upgrade is an important step in supporting the long-term recovery of the Northern Rivers and building a safer, more resilient Lismore.
‘This project is a practical investment to help reduce localised flooding and improving access to homes, businesses and essential services during flood events. Through the Australian Government’s $150 million Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program we are delivering infrastructure that helps build a safer future.’
NSW Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, ‘Rebuilding Lismore is about building back better and more robust. We are taking the opportunity to upgrade and modernise, ensuring our essential infrastructure is stronger and truly fit for the future.
‘By more than doubling the capacity of these pumps, we are actively defending the CBD, protecting local livelihoods, and keeping our roads open longer when the river rises.
‘True recovery is about giving people confidence that their town is better prepared for the future. This project gives our community tangible proof that we’re delivering the protection Lismore needs to grow, invest, and move forward together.’
For additional information and FAQs about the pump station upgrade, visit this link.
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