New $5 million drainage program targets flood-hit farms after Cyclone Alfred
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A new $5 million funding package will deliver more critical drainage repairs across local farmland.
The Tropical Cyclone Alfred Agricultural Drainage Reset Program follows the success of an earlier Northern Rivers initiative, which restored 77 agricultural drainage systems and significantly improved flood recovery for farmers.
Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the program will focus on council-nominated projects across Richmond Valley, Ballina, Rous County, Tweed and Kempsey.
Among the first projects will be clearing flood debris, vegetation and heavy sediment from the 1.1-kilometre Rattle Gully drain at Broadwater, while floodgate outlets and drainage pipes at Pimlico, Empire Vale and Wardell will also be reset to restore water flow.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the previous drainage reset program had already demonstrated how effective the approach could be.
“I am a strong advocate for this program because we’ve already proven it works,” she said.
“During the earlier Northern Rivers reset, clearing 77 drainage sites made a massive difference on the ground.
“By tackling these next 25 priority locations, we are helping our farmers get back to business faster while building resilience against future wet weather.”
Ms Saffin said one of the biggest achievements of the earlier program had been removing the complex approval processes that had previously delayed drain maintenance.
“Now that is cracked, it is my intention to have permission procedures like these built into disaster adaptation plans so farmers can continue to keep the maintenance up to date themselves,” she said.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the investment would help primary producers recover more quickly after future flood events.
“Farmers across Northern NSW have faced repeated severe weather blows,” she said.
“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.”
The NSW Soil Conservation Service will oversee the works in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, providing technical expertise in sediment management while ensuring environmental safeguards are maintained.
Above: one of the partically blocked cane farm drains at Empire Vale cleared under stage one of the program.
Main Photo:: (L to R) Rous County Council chair Robert Mustow, Minister Janelle Saffin, cane grower Gordon Lowrey, Richmond Rivers Cane Growers chair Geoff Pye and Ballina Shire Deputy Mayor Damian Loone pictured at the completion of the earlier program in East Wardell in April.
Northern Area Manager Thor Aaso said the agency was looking forward to delivering the next stage of drainage improvements following the success of the first program.
The funding comes just months after farmers welcomed completion of the original drainage reset initiative, saying faster drainage had reduced crop losses, improved productivity and improved river health across the Northern Rivers floodplain.
