Work is set to begin on a major upgrade to Lismore’s flood infrastructure, replacing a long-standing tractor-driven pump at the Magellan Street pump station with a modern automated system.
The project, due to commence in mid-April, will see two submersible electric pumps installed, significantly increasing capacity and removing the need for manual operation during flood events.
Currently, the Magellan Street pump relies on a tractor being backed up to the levee, with operators required to remain onsite during heavy rainfall.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the upgrade marked a shift to a safer and more effective system.
“Magellan Street currently has a manual tractor-driven pump, which means two operators need to back a tractor up to the levee during heavy rainfall and remain onsite for as long as it’s safe to do so,” he said.
“It’s a fairly basic system that’s served us since the early 2000s, but it’s time to embrace a more high-tech solution that suits our needs now and in the future.”
The new pumps will deliver a combined capacity of 1000 litres per second, up from the existing 600 litres per second, alongside a larger pump well to improve water management.
Electrical systems at the site will also be raised above the 2022 flood height of 14.4 metres to improve resilience in future events.
At the same time, a new pump station will be constructed at Snow Street in South Lismore, designed to help keep evacuation and emergency service access routes open for longer during flooding.
Once complete, both pump stations will be remotely operated via a new fibre optic network linking Lismore’s flood infrastructure, allowing council staff to monitor and control pumps without needing to be on site.
Mayor Krieg said the change would improve the city’s response capability.
“Council staff will be able to monitor and control the pumps from a safe distance, dialling them up or down as needed,” he said, describing the upgrade as “a gamechanger for Lismore’s responsiveness to future floods.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the project was part of broader efforts to strengthen disaster resilience in the region.
“This project is another example of the Albanese Government’s commitment to working with all levels of government to support the Lismore community’s long-term resilience to the impacts of natural disasters,” she said.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the upgrade would also improve safety for workers.
“We all remember the devastation of the CBD following the 2022 floods and the impacts of more recent events, with tractor drivers putting themselves in danger to manually pump water out,” she said.
“This investment means that will no longer be the case.”
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the project formed part of earlier funding commitments following the 2022 disaster, but warned further work was needed.
“This funding was secured by the former Coalition Government in March 2022, just one month after the devastating flood,” he said.
“Pumps and levees are important, but we also need solutions that actually lower the flood level across Lismore.”
Mr Hogan said a CSIRO flood mitigation study due in June would be critical in shaping future works.
The Magellan Street and Snow Street projects follow recent upgrades at Gasworks Creek pump station and the Upper Hollingworth Creek flood gate.
Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The works are funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
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