Condong Creek – looking upstream from Floodgate 17L.
A major drainage improvement project at Condong Creek will move a step closer following a funding commitment of up to $1 million from the NSW Reconstruction Authority under the Tropical Cyclone Alfred Agricultural Drainage Reset Program.
Tweed Shire Council has identified upgrade works under the Condong Creek Drainage Management Plan as its highest priority agricultural drainage project, with Council committing up to $500,000 towards the estimated $1.5 million project cost.
The project is the largest approved under the second tranche of the jointly funded Australian and NSW Government recovery program, which is helping restore critical drainage infrastructure damaged by recent flooding and improve the long-term resilience of agricultural land across Northern NSW.
The Condong Creek project will undergo a design and approvals phase before construction can commence. Project delivery will be by NSW Soil Conservation Service, following confirmation of scope, costs, approvals and feasibility by the NSW Reconstruction Authority
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said improving drainage systems was critical for the Tweed's agricultural industry.
"Our farmers have endured repeated flood events in recent years and we know that when drainage systems are compromised, water can remain on productive farmland for extended periods, affecting crops, soil health and farm operations.
"This funding allows us to progress a project that Council identified as the highest priority for our agricultural community and one that has the potential to deliver long-term benefits across the Condong catchment.
"We're pleased to be working with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, the Soil Conservation Service and our farming community to improve drainage outcomes and strengthen resilience ahead of future flood events," Cr Cherry said.
Tweed Shire Council General Manager Troy Green welcomed the partnership approach behind the program.
"This project is a great example of governments working together to support local communities recovering from natural disasters.
"The Condong Creek project has been identified through detailed assessment and consultation as a priority investment, and Council's co-contribution demonstrates the importance we place on improving resilience for our agricultural sector," he said.
The Tropical Cyclone Alfred Agricultural Drainage Reset Program will restore critical drainage function at 25 council-nominated sites across Northern and Mid North Coast NSW.
The program is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and is being administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority in partnership with the NSW Soil Conservation Service. The first round of projects includes drainage restoration works in Tweed, Richmond Valley, Ballina, Rous County and Kempsey local government areas.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority has advised that specialist investigations and detailed planning work will now begin on the Condong Creek project before future delivery decisions are confirmed.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
"Farmers across Northern NSW have faced repeated severe weather blows. This program delivers practical, on-the-ground recovery to ensure flood-affected agricultural land drains quickly after heavy rain, reducing costly business disruptions for our producers.
"By empowering local councils to nominate their highest-priority sites, the Albanese and Minns governments are ensuring recovery funds target the areas where our primary producers need support the most."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin:
"Our primary producers require this sort of recovery and resilience support after multiple flood events in the North and Mid North Coast. Their resolve has been well and truly tested over the past decade following fires, floods, storms, COVID, War in the Middle East and a myriad of other disruptions but they have come up even more resilient.
"I am a strong advocate for this program because we've already proven it works. During the earlier Northern Rivers reset, clearing 77 drainage sites made a massive difference on the ground. To get them done we also had to get over farmers having to go through a myriad of permissions to do so. Now that is cracked, it is my intention to have permission procedures like these built into the disaster adaptation plans so that farmers can continue to keep the maintenance up to date themselves.
"By hitting these next 25 priority locations, we are helping our farmers get back to business faster and building vital resilience against future wet weather."
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Photo 1: Condong Creek drainage
Caption: Condong Creek – looking upstream from Floodgate 17L
Connection to Council's Community Strategic Plan:
