Ballina residents to have their say on CSIRO flood mitigation proposals
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Public opinion on CSIRO’s recently released flood mitigation recommendations for Ballina will be put to the test at a meeting on Wednesday.
CSIRO is seeking feedback on measures that include opening Boundary Creek, upgrading Tuckean Swamp and building flood detention basins in the upper catchment.
Australia’s leading science agency has undertaken detailed modelling which suggests the measures could reduce flood heights by up to two metres in parts of the Richmond River catchment.
The recommendations are contained in CSIRO’s final report into flood mitigation for the Northern Rivers, which was released late last month.
The preferred package, known as Bundle 2, includes detention basins across the catchment, a Tuckean Swamp bypass and drainage works, an upgrade of the Baggotville barrage and a one-way pressure gate at Boundary Creek.
The proposed gate would allow floodwater to flow out while preventing seawater from entering.
However, neither the federal nor NSW governments has committed to constructing the works.
Instead, the Albanese and Minns governments have announced another $3 million for cost-benefit analysis, engineering investigations and further flood resilience planning across the Richmond River catchment.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin has indicated the next stage of work could take between 18 months and two years.
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has called for that process to be fast-tracked, arguing the community cannot afford to wait years for meaningful flood mitigation.
CSIRO hydrologist Dr Jai Vaze said the results from the agency’s flood model exceeded his expectations.
“To be able to show how the water level could be reduced by up to 2.07 metres for such a major flood is substantial and goes a long way towards helping the region as well as governments,” Dr Vaze said.
Federal Page MP Kevin Hogan has called on the state and federal governments to begin implementing the CSIRO recommendations.
The public information session on CSIRO’s proposed flood mitigation measures will be held on Wednesday, July 22, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club.
To register your interested head to: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/
