There were four sets of traffic lights on Clarence Way between Bonalbo and Bruxner Highway at Sandilands this week.

A lot of work is being done including major flood prevention work at Culmaran Creek and Tunglebung.

Clarence Way floods easily and regularly at these two spots.

Graham Ryan has had a farm at Tunglebung Creek for 77 years and he’s witnessed many floods in his time there. He is also president of the Upper Clarence Ratepayers Association.

He addressed Kyogle Council meeting on June 10 about the works being done on Clarence Way and in particular at Tunglebung.

Mr Ryan said it was protocol that when major work is being done, the landowner nearby is notified six months in advance.

“Works have been in progress at Tunglebung Creek for over two months and my first meeting with the engineer was on May 19,” he said.

Mr Ryan is concerned the works being done at Tunglebung Creek will not withstand flooding and further works will be needed in the future.

“Let’s do it once and do it right,” Mr Ryan told councillors and council staff at the meeting.

Mr Ryan is concerned that the pipes being used to allow floodwater to flow through are too small, dug too deep and are too close to the bridge.

He said when he asked the engineer why box culverts can’t be used instead, he was told they are too expensive.

Mr Ryan came up with a solution that a “cluster of eight water pipes about 450mm in diameter be installed” and he said he was told that if more pipes are installed, new plans would need to be drawn up and that would take another six months.

Mr Ryan gave an example of another issue that was solved much more quickly.

“A computer model drain was to be built at the outlets of the 4 x 900mm pipes,” he said.

“This ridiculous drain was supposedly going to turn fast flowing water at right angles, uphill, into an already overflowing and flooding creek.

“This drain was going to cause massive erosion problems in my paddock.”

Mr Ryan said he refused to have this drain built in his paddock.

“Another drain has been constructed that drains water in a straight line out from the 4 x 900mm pipes and across my paddock, which in turn will spool across the northern side of the paddock and then drain into a drainage system that I already have in place.”

Mr Ryan said no plans or computer modelling were required to alter this drainage so it works better.

He is frustrated that his suggestions for keeping Clarence Way less prone to flooding have been dismissed.

At the council meeting, Assets & Infrastructure Services director Wayne Carter said he acknowledged local knowledge and the people who have been on the land for many years.

“Flood behaviour is hard to predict and design for, ” Mr Carter said.

“Tunglebung and Culmaran are designed for a 1 in 100 year flood capacity.

“We are designing for a 1 per cent probability of being flooded once a year.”

Kyogle Council has built more than 90 bridges and culverts, Mr Carter said.

“We are very confident in how we will perform.”

Mr Ryan was frustrated with the council’s response.

“Back in the early 1950s, the concrete culverts (which have recently been removed) were installed in the main southern floodway,” Mr Ryan said.

“My father always maintained that these culverts were too small and restricted the water flow.

“When first constructed and after each flood, the approach of each end of the culverts were washed away.

“The problem was not rectified, until concrete walls were built at both ends of the culverts and on each side of the road.

“Each wall was about 20metres long.”

This historical information is important to Mr Ryan.

“This goes to show the power of water that Tunglebung Creek has in times of flood,” he said.

Mr Ryan pleaded with council to consider spending more for extra pipes to ensure Clarence Way is not at risk of being damaged by floodwaters.

“Let’s do it once and do it right,” Mr Ryan said again.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 23 June 2025.