The first tranche of projects funded under a $150 million Australian Government commitment to improve the disaster resilience of the Northern Rivers Region have been given the green light.

Part of Phase 1 of the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, the sixteen projects were recommended by CSIRO following extensive community consultation, and agreed by the Australian and NSW governments. They deliver on 41 individual project proposals put forward to CSIRO through their review process, with the scope of some proposals expanded to provide benefits across the entire Northern Rivers Region.

Today’s announcement enables work to commence in the first tranche of projects while the NSW Government continues a due diligence review of the remaining recommended projects. All projects to be funded from the $150 million will be confirmed within the next six months.

The Tranche 1 projects, totalling $50 million, include $17.2 million for seven combined upgrades to pumps and pump stations in Lismore, $1.1 million for a new pump system to assist in draining East Murwillumbah and $470,000 to install box culverts through a river bank levee to improve local drainage in Grafton.  

Region-wide programs to increase flood risk awareness, deliver floor level surveys, assess evacuation routes and options for infrastructure upgrades and establish community-led resilience teams have also been funded. 

Many of the projects align with recommendations from the NSW Flood Inquiry, and with local floodplain risk mitigation programs. All seven local government areas of the Northern Rivers region – Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed – will benefit.

More information is available on the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative webpage.