Lismore residents will see construction crews deployed across the city and surrounding region in the coming months, with Lismore City Council adopting a $174.6 million roads and bridges program for 2026-27.
The budget, described by council as the largest infrastructure investment of its kind, is focused on restoring and strengthening key road connections across the region following years of flood and landslip damage.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the community’s message had driven the decision.
“Our road network is critical to how people live, work and connect, and this budget makes it a clear priority,” Mayor Krieg said.
The program is split across three main areas: $78.8 million for landslip remediation, $76.7 million for road upgrades, and $19.1 million for bridges and structures. Works will span urban, rural and regional networks with a focus on improving resilience, safety and long-term reliability.
Major landslip restoration projects include Terania Creek Road at $5.2 million, Koonorigan Road at $5 million, and Oakey Creek Road at $3.9 million.
Mayor Krieg said the coming year marks a significant shift from planning to delivery.
“The coming year marks a ramping up of delivery, with projects moving from planning into construction,” Mayor Krieg said.
“People will see real progress with crews deployed to key locations across Lismore as our tally of completed projects increases.”
Three key road upgrade projects will commence in 2026-27, largely funded by the Australian Government under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. They include upgrades to the Dunoon Road and Tweed Street corridor, Rous Road, and Tregeagle Road. Significant restoration works will also be completed at Wyrallah Road, Orion Street and Coraki Road.
Council secured $4.86 million in funding for the Dunoon Road and Tweed Street corridor upgrade, with construction to be staged across the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years. The project is expected to improve safety and access for residents, freight and emergency services, while also supporting the Lismore Showground, Cattle Saleyards and future growth in North Lismore.
The Rous Road project, valued at $3.4 million, will deliver pavement widening, rehabilitation, reshaping and realignment works along a 1.7-kilometre section between Alphadale Road and Dalwood Road. Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2026-27.
The Tregeagle Road project of $1.57 million includes pavement widening, rehabilitation and reshaping works along a 900-metre section from 2.4 kilometres south of Rous Road near Rudwick Road, with construction also expected to begin in early 2026-27.
“These projects will improve road safety, driving conditions and network resilience while also reducing ongoing maintenance requirements and improving connectivity for the surrounding rural community,” Mayor Krieg said.
Much of the program is supported by external funding, allowing council to restore flood-damaged assets without placing additional pressure on ratepayers.
“This is about delivering the infrastructure our community have been waiting and asking for and using external funding to do it,” Mayor Krieg said.
“This is about fixing fundamentals and leveraging funding to improve the reliability of roads that residents rely on.”
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