Geoff Helisma, Clarence Valley Independent

At yesterday’s Clarence Valley Council (CVC) meeting, councillors are likely to have allocated $1 million of Category D funding under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Staff recommended funding the upgrade of pumps at Bacon Street, Grafton ($100,000), and Ardent Street, South Grafton ($200,000).

Staff also recommended allocating $300,000 to “review and implement actions reported in the Flood Risk Management Plan (2007), including a design investigation to increase the flood immunity of Iluka Road in the vicinity of the Esk River crossing”.

Similarly, $150,000 was recommended for an “investigation” of flood issues affecting Yamba Road and the preparation of an “options paper and business case, including project costs, to increase flood immunity” – this is specifically for Yamba Road, not the bypass.

The remaining $250,000 will be allocated towards “consolidating and updating the [valley’s] flood risk management plans”, assuming councillors adopted staff’s recommendations at yesterday’s meeting (after the newspaper’s print deadline).

Staff advised councillors that the $700k allocated towards updating its flood plain documentation is “intended to ensure CVC has robust business plans and costings for future funding opportunities”.

“Specifically,” staff wrote, “the consolidation and update of the flood risk management plans will identify priority projects across the LGA that should be targeted for any floodplain management grants that become available.

“Council should [also] note, a further grant fund that has become available, which members of [CVC’s] executive team are discussing with Public Works Advisory in early May: $36 Million for urgent works required to access and repair flood levees across northern NSW.

“It should also be noted that the projects listed are supported through discussions with operational staff at debriefs following the floods.

“In addition, staff requested purchase of additional pumps, signage and other resources required during floods, particularly in the Lower Clarence, and, also, automation of flood gate mechanisms in the Upper Clarence

“These matters will be considered in the 2022/2023 annual budget through renewal projects as costing become available.”

Regarding consultation, staff advised that the Yamba Chamber of Commerce had made a “representation” to CVC, “regarding improving the flood immunity of Yamba Road to ensure sustainability for local economies during flood”.

Staff also wrote that “there has been significant community concern from Iluka regarding the extent of flooding impact during and following this event, [and that] ability to leave would assist community resilience”.

In relation to the pump upgrades, staff wrote, “While all pumps were working adequately during the floods, upgrade of those nominated would improve capacity to pump water as flood waters recede.”

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 27 April 2022.