The Lismore City Council is carrying out major pump upgrades to bolster the city’s flood resilience.
Pump stations, regarded as “the lungs of the Lismore flood levee system” by local member Janelle Saffin, have played a critical role in shielding the city from the impacts of rising waters.
The council is completing the most significant works since 2022, when a record flood level was reached. This saw emergency work conducted across all pump stations, including the installation of mechanical trash screens to prevent blockages.
Upgrades have been completed at the Gasworks Creek pump station, with works to follow at the Browns Creek and Magellan Street facilities. A brand-new pump station will be built in South Lismore later this year.
“Pump stations … are actively working to keep the city as dry as possible when the river rises during big rain events, with ongoing upgrades making them more powerful and intelligent they will help better protect Lismore during future floods,” Saffin said.
“They perform a vital role in extracting stormwater and localised flooding from behind the levee system and pump it back into the Wilsons River, minimising damage to homes and businesses downtown.”
The upgrades are being funded by the Federal Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP). Local contractors Steady State and Engineered Project Solutions are carrying out the works.
“This upgrade reflects how investment through the NRRRP is delivering practical improvements to Lismore’s flood-mitigation network, strengthening the city’s ability to cope with increasingly severe weather events,” Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said.
“By modernising these ageing pump stations with more powerful, reliable and remotely operated systems, this program is supporting Lismore’s long-term efforts to reduce local flood impacts and protect homes, businesses and essential services during future storm events.”
Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said flood recovery wasn’t a “quick fix”, but a long-term commitment.
“These projects are part of a bigger picture that will make Lismore better prepared for whatever nature throws at us,” he said.
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