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Flood recovery remains a major focus of Tweed Shire Council, as the community marks two years since the worst natural disaster in the Tweed’s recorded history.
Current estimates show the flood, which began on 28 February 2022 and continued in March of that year, caused more than $369 million in damages to Council-owned assets.
A total of 3,742 road damage items were logged across the Tweed following the disaster, with additional damage to water and wastewater infrastructure, parks and sports fields, and some 90 Council-owned buildings impacted by the floodwaters.
Council crews and contractors have since focused on restoring major road links and public infrastructure, while building greater resilience into community assets so they can better withstand any flooding into the future.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said flood survivors, particularly the many Tweed residents whose homes and businesses were inundated during the event, were in our thoughts.
“Recovery is a long journey and we walk it together,” Cr Cherry said.
“It has been a roller coaster two years since the worst flood in recorded history impacted our community and I know today will again be difficult for many people, particularly those who remain displaced after losing their homes to the flood.
“We have made significant progress in our flood recovery and I would like to thank all those who have contributed to that effort and who remain committed to ensuring the Tweed is better prepared next time we are faced with such a flooding disaster.
“Unfortunately, nature dealt us another blow in January this year, when we experienced new flooding which caused more than $5.7 million in additional damage at 174 sites across the Tweed. We are grateful the Federal and NSW Governments have now extended their Disaster Recovery funding to include the January 2024 flooding events.”
To date, more than $90 million has been spent on flood repair work in the Tweed since 2022, with 3,040 road jobs completed – representing more than 80% of roadwork damages by number.
Some of the major road achievements completed include the restoration of Scenic Drive, Reserve Creek Road, Limpinwood Road, Numinbah Road, Nimbin Road and a landslip on Tyalgum Road.
However, work continues on the biggest and most complex restoration project in the Tweed, the extreme landslip on Tyalgum Road, where a temporary single lane track has been built to restore access for residents while permanent works get underway.
Other major works still ongoing include the restoration of Kyogle Road where there are three major slips and multiple heavy patching is taking place, the rebuilding of Mt Warning Road, Urliup Road and Stokers Road restorations.
Council has completed its cleanout and repair of 90 inundated Council buildings, including the $1 million repair of the Murwillumbah Community Centre, which included significant works to improve the future flood resilience of the building.
Other flood damage projects completed or nearing completion include:
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Riparian repair of Tweed River bank near Uki
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The Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre’s 50m pool and giant water slide at Murwillumbah
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Murwillumbah sale yards
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Repairs and reinstatement of numerous sporting facilities, including Murwillumbah Netball courts and clubhouse, John Rabjones Oval, Les Cave Oval and clubhouse, Bilambil Sports Complex West, Brian Breckenridge clubhouse and field restoration, Barrie Smith Fields resilience work, Stan Sercombe Oval, Jim Devine Field, Bilambil Sports Complex East.
Council is also continuing its work to increase flood resilience in the Tweed, including securing $16 million in funding for sport and community facilities, $6 million in flood mitigation works, $9 million for road causeway funding and $10 million for a new Council Depot to be built off the floodplain.
It is also continuing its support in the community, including working with the Australian Red Cross Emergency Service to establish a network of more than 25 Community-led Resilience Teams across the Tweed. This included assisting the Red Cross to purchase portable radios for the CRTs to ensure communities are not isolated should more traditional forms of communication (phones and internet) be lost during an emergency in the future.
For more information about Council’s flood restoration works, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-restoration-works.
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