Work on the South Lismore Flood Mitigation Works Project is likely to commence in the next couple of weeks with SEE Civil recently appointed the principal contractor to undertake bulk earthworks.
The $8.2 million project funded by the NSW Government involves diverting floodwater overflow from Leycester Creek around the Lismore Regional Airport. This includes the excavation of 410,000m³ of material from a 58-hectare parcel of Council land.
Flood modelling (Worley Parsons, 2016) suggests the project should reduce peak water levels in the CBD, North Lismore and South Lismore by as much as 100mm in a 1-in-100-year flood event. The excavated material will be used to fill nearby industrial land within Lismore's floodplain and facilitate the expansion of the South Lismore Industrial Estate.
Preliminary works are already underway with Council recently relocating two major sewer mains. They have been 'bedded' (backfilled with material to protect the pipe) using 1500 tonnes of crushed glass from the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre.
"This is a great example of reusing a waste material plus there is a significant cost saving to the project from using this bedding material opposed to traditional crushed rock," Director of Infrastructure Services Peter Jeuken said.
"This project was endorsed by the Lismore Floodplain Management Committee and is part of a range of measures detailed in the Lismore Flood Mitigation Plan to help safeguard the community and increase disaster resilience.
"Council and SEE Civil are consulting with affected landowners this week to ensure they are fully informed and aware of the scope of the works."
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the project was vital for Lismore.
"I was thrilled to stand alongside the then Member for Lismore Thomas George earlier this year to announce $8.2 million in NSW Government funding for this vital project," he said.
"This is a great example of the NSW Government, Council and the community working together to get the best outcome."
Council is overseeing the project, but NSW Public Works Advisory will project manage the construction on Council's behalf. Work is expected to take 12 months to complete.
Council has developed a Your Say Lismore page on its website with information and a Q&A section where residents can ask questions. Affected landowners can also call Council direct with any queries.
