Richmond Valley Council decision at odds with community expectations concerning use of Stan Payne Oval

ECHO, 17 December 2024: 

Evans Heads locals have raised concerns over the advertised rodeo ‘Buckin by the Beach’ scheduled for 28 December in Evans Head.

Originally advertised for Paddon Memorial Park next to the Evans River, residents said that the first they knew of it was from an ad offering ticket sales to the event. It has now apparently been moved to Stan Payne Oval. Though it is still being advertised online as at Paddon Park.

‘It is not clear from publicly-available information whether this rodeo has been approved by Richmond Valley Council (RVC) as nothing can be found on the RVC website at time of writing about the event except that a similar event was held in 2023 at the Stan Payne Oval at Evans Head,’ said a spokesperson for Evans Head Residents for Sustainable Development (EHRSDI).

According to one local the RVC the council overrode the Stan Payne Oval Committee to bring the event back to the property under their control leaving the community wondering ‘why bother having a management committee if the council can step in at the last moment and override their concerns without appropriate public consultation with those who will be most affected by the event’.

Inquiries made by EHRSDI reveal that those controlling the Stan Payne Oval area were not happy with the impact the previous event had on the condition of the playing fields and one resident, who contacted EHRSDI, said he had suffered a knee injury because of legacy uneven playing surfaces.

The Stan Payne Oval is subject to a Master Plan which was accepted by Council in June 2023 ( https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SPEH-01-Adopted-Masterplan-2023-.pdf)

‘EHRSDI understands that the committee did not and does not want the rodeo to be held on the Stan Payne Oval because of the effects on the oval’s physical integrity and risk of injury from the legacy effects of that use,’ said the EHRSDI spokesperson.

‘Master Plans are supposed to be about “protecting the local character, heritage and environment” of a site”. It is difficult to reconcile the imposition of an out-of-town, for-profit rodeo with “the core focus” of the site which is “improving the community’s enjoyment within public spaces”.’

Evans Head Residents for Sustainable Development said today it has fielded a number of calls from local residents about the proposed rodeo event covering a range of concerns from the impact the event will have on water quality of the Evans River to the timing of the event in the middle of the busy Christmas period at Evans Head when riverfront usage is at a premium and the space will be lost to the public. Parking and noise problems were also raised.

‘The wider community is also opposed to the event being held at Evans Head because the community is already at capacity from the summer holidays and does not need yet another burden on local infrastructure.’

Animal welfare

Animal welfare issues have also been raised as a concern in relation to the rodeo.

According to research gathered by Dr Anne Gates, ‘Rodeos are a cruel spectator sport, condemned by all animal protection organisations, in which bulls, horses and sometimes other animals are physically provoked into displaying “wild” behaviour by the use of such devices as spurs, electric prods and flank straps. Animals suffer many kinds of injuries and are sometimes killed as a result......

RVC, National Rodeo Association, and the Stan Payne Oval committee have been contacted for comment.

Evans Heads locals have raised concerns over the advertised rodeo ‘Buckin by the Beach’ scheduled for 28 December in Evans Head.

Originally advertised for Paddon Memorial Park next to the Evans River, residents said that the first they knew of it was from an ad offering ticket sales to the event. It has now apparently been moved to Stan Payne Oval. Though it is still being advertised online as at Paddon Park.

‘It is not clear from publicly-available information whether this rodeo has been approved by Richmond Valley Council (RVC) as nothing can be found on the RVC website at time of writing about the event except that a similar event was held in 2023 at the Stan Payne Oval at Evans Head,’ said a spokesperson for Evans Head Residents for Sustainable Development (EHRSDI).

According to one local the RVC the council overrode the Stan Payne Oval Committee to bring the event back to the property under their control leaving the community wondering ‘why bother having a management committee if the council can step in at the last moment and override their concerns without appropriate public consultation with those who will be most affected by the event’.

Inquiries made by EHRSDI reveal that those controlling the Stan Payne Oval area were not happy with the impact the previous event had on the condition of the playing fields and one resident, who contacted EHRSDI, said he had suffered a knee injury because of legacy uneven playing surfaces.

The Stan Payne Oval is subject to a Master Plan which was accepted by Council in June 2023 ( https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SPEH-01-Adopted-Masterplan-2023-.pdf)

‘EHRSDI understands that the committee did not and does not want the rodeo to be held on the Stan Payne Oval because of the effects on the oval’s physical integrity and risk of injury from the legacy effects of that use,’ said the EHRSDI spokesperson.

‘Master Plans are supposed to be about “protecting the local character, heritage and environment” of a site”. It is difficult to reconcile the imposition of an out-of-town, for-profit rodeo with “the core focus” of the site which is “improving the community’s enjoyment within public spaces”.’

Evans Head Residents for Sustainable Development said today it has fielded a number of calls from local residents about the proposed rodeo event covering a range of concerns from the impact the event will have on water quality of the Evans River to the timing of the event in the middle of the busy Christmas period at Evans Head when riverfront usage is at a premium and the space will be lost to the public. Parking and noise problems were also raised.

‘The wider community is also opposed to the event being held at Evans Head because the community is already at capacity from the summer holidays and does not need yet another burden on local infrastructure.’

Animal welfare

Animal welfare issues have also been raised as a concern in relation to the rodeo.

According to research gathered by Dr Anne Gates, ‘Rodeos are a cruel spectator sport, condemned by all animal protection organisations, in which bulls, horses and sometimes other animals are physically provoked into displaying “wild” behaviour by the use of such devices as spurs, electric prods and flank straps. Animals suffer many kinds of injuries and are sometimes killed as a result......

RVC, National Rodeo Association, and the Stan Payne Oval committee have been contacted for comment.

$15m Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange has been vacant since early July when relations between the landlord council and local agents soured

 

Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange, Casino
IMAGE: queenslandcountrylife.com.au, 7 March 2023

The majority of cattle/store sheep saleyards in Australia are owned by local government councils.

The Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange, better known as the Casino saleyards, is owned by Richmond Valley Council and has been in business since 1916.

As the Northern River regional facility it had the third-largest cattle throughput in NSW in 2020-21 with 103,700 cattle.

In mid-2023 Richmond Valley Council implemented a new business plan which included the addition of two new agents, as well as significant changes to sale day and delivery operations. While vendor fees remain fixed for another three years, the business usage fee rose from $1 a head to 0.2 per cent of gross revenue and local graziers baulked.  

This is not the first time in its history that a fee dispute has closed the Casino saleyards, but it appears to be shaping up as the one which may see these saleyards gone for good given that the threat of widespread, possibly prolonged, drought appears to be growing which will affect the NSW cattle industry with north-east of the state likely to feel the full impact soonest.

Queensland Country Life, 28 September 2023:

The Casino saleyards in NSW will be offered to the private sector for long-term lease following an unresolved stand-off between the council and local livestock agents.

A unanimous vote from Richmond Valley councillors signalled a resolve to months of bickering between the council as landlord of the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange and five livestock agencies that used the facility.

There have been no cattle sales at NRLX since the start of the financial year, after local agents refused to sign-up to new conditions regarding increased costs and handling of livestock after the fall of the hammer.

Earlier this month a public meeting brought more than 700 people together in support of their selling agents, with few seeing things the council's way.

"Following the public meeting, a further attempt was made to reach consensus with the agents and re-open sales at the NRLX," council's general manager Vaughan Macdonald said in a written report to councillors.

"This meeting was unsuccessful, marking the seventh failed attempt at seeking details to achieve a resolution. In these circumstances, it would appear that the likelihood of reaching a consensus is minimal and further attempts at resolution will only prolong the impacts on cattle producers who use the NRLX. Council now finds itself at the point where a long-term solution is required, to ensure that cattle sales can resume as soon as possible, and the NRLX continues to play a pivotal role in the regional economy."

Mr Macdonald told councillors that the facility, with a $28.5m replacement cost, would be offered to the private sector with a lease arrangement drawn up within three months for a term from five to 30 years.

At the core of the motion was the concern that Richmond Valley ratepayers were currently footing $60 a year for every rateable property to prop-up a deficit of $647,303.

In the interim, the council will continue to explore avenues to reestablish sales at the facility, provided agents accept its current demands.

Richmond Valley Council has refused the development application at 59 Rileys Hill Road, Broadwater, due to flood risk

Sometimes it is hard to believe the evidence of one's own eyes when looking at development plans lodged with local councils. 

This was one of those times, with property owner Broadwater Riley Pty Ltd ATF The Broadwater Riley Unit Trust and developers The Trustee for Cromack Family Trust and Others having lodged a document DA2023/0100 in December 2022 seeking consent to create 60 Torrens Title residential building lots on land which less than nine months before had been under a record amount of flood water.

The proposed development from the DA. IndyNR, 11 January 2023

IndyNR.com, 27 September 2023:

The first meeting of Rileys Hill residents opposing the development on January 10, 2023.

Resident Jemma Donnelly is thrilled that the development of 60 blocks on Rileys Hill Road will not go ahead.

Richmond Valley Council has refused the development application at 59 Rileys Hill Road, Broadwater.

“This is a fantastic response and shows that Richmond Valley Council has listened and taken into consideration the community’s concerns and has acknowledged the significant risks this proposed development puts on the existing community and the environmental impacts,” Ms Donnelly said.

“This development is not in the public interest and is not suitable for development due to flood risk.”

During the floods in February–March last year, the site was underwater.

The development site was zoned residential in 1972.

The next logical step would be for the council to rezone the land to agricultural, Ms Donnelly said.

“So that the current or next developer does not continue to propose future development.”…..

The developer has a right to appeal the decision within six months.

It should be noted that this refusal by Council also removes any need to clear-fell the remaining roadside tree corridor - a fact that is welcomed by those concerned with the plight of koala in urban areas of north-east NSW.

Qld 'whiteshoe brigade' developer Graeme Ingles, and Goldcoral Pty Ltd, determined to continue pursuit of the Iron Gate Development proposal in the face of a community which has been resisting development on this site since the 1990s

 

Echo, 19 July 2023:

Evans Heads locals and other concerned members of the public form the Northern Rivers have raised concerns over Richmond Valley Council’s (RVC) apparent lack of preparation to defend the controversial Iron Gates appeal currently underway in the Land and Environment Court (L&EC) in Sydney.

The development application (DA) was rejected by the Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) in September 2022. An appeal was immediately launched by Gold Coast developer Graeme Ingles. Ingles has been trying to regain approval for residential development of the site since his approval was stripped by the L&EC in 1997 after illegal clearing and other works were done at the site. Remediation was required by the L&EC of approximately $2 million, however, this work has never been done by Ingles.

Some of the drains that the developer was ordered to fill that still hasn’t been done over twenty years later. Photo supplied

The current iteration of seeking a DA for residential development is now in its ninth year. The NRPP had roundly rejected the DA by Goldcoral Pty Ltd following a public hearing on the development and two independent professional assessments which recommended refusal. Grounds for rejection included serious fire, flood, ecological and Aboriginal cultural and town planning concerns.

Following his appeal application to the L&EC Ingles put the Iron Gates property up for sale by but the property was withdrawn from sale early in 2023. Goldcoral Pty Ltd was then put into administration and the appeal case in the L&EC was taken over by the large legal firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth from Ingles’ solicitor.

Developer Graeme Ingles. Photo inglesgroup. com.au

Public refused right to know basis of appeal

The matter proceeded to a Section 34 Hearing by a L&EC Commissioner held on site at the Iron Gates at Evans Head. Submissions against the appeal were presented by the public despite the fact that the basis for the appeal was not made public.

Public excluded from onsite meetings

The public was then excluded from further negotiation with the Commissioner, and the parties to the case, including a second respondent, the Bandjalang People, retired behind closed Iron Gates and closed Richmond Valley Council (RVC) chambers for further talks.

The community was not informed of the outcome of the discussions with the Commissioner by RVC’s solicitor who had overseen the public representations. Council’s solicitor declined to respond to questions about the case on the grounds that Council was its client, not the public……

Simone Barker (nee Wilson), daughter of the late Lawrence Wilson who opposed the development back in the 1990s accompanied by supporter Jaydn.

Revised reports not available to public and RVC substantially redacted

None of the new plans or revised expert reports presented by the appellant (Goldcoral Pty Ltd) and considered by the Court are publicly available. Those auditing the case (15 parties at one point during the day) were forced to infer what had been claimed.….

Iron Gates Road in flood March 2022. Photo supplied

Insufficient review time for RVC

Counsel representing Council complained to the Registrar about the fact that it had only just received material pertinent to the case from the Appellant and had insufficient time to review it. And Counsel representing Goldcoral complained that the material it was presenting to the Court needed substantial work to accommodate the significant changes to documentation necessitated by the heavily redacted RVC affidavit, changes accepted by the Registrar and parties to the case.

Despite the complaints the parties worked to adapt to the revised circumstances and most of the afternoon’s hearing was given to presentation by the legal representative from Goldcoral about the revisions to the plan for residential development. In essence the case was put that the material was for a revised development which took account of many of the criticisms put to the NRPP which led to the DA’s refusal.

LEP wetlands riparian map of Iron Gates site and Evans Head. Image supplied

Proposed changes included, among many matters, the extent of the development footprint, reduction in total area of the development, changes to size and diversity of blocks, changes to the internal roads including a new fire trail around the site, a new refuge area for fire and flood for residents cut off during such events, increased setbacks from littoral conservation areas, new consultation processes with Aboriginal stakeholders yet to be completed, changes to earthworks with reductions in mass and impact, changes to vegetation clearance and changes to stormwater management. The hearing with the Registrar is set to continue next Tuesday. Those interested in following the case can obtain details from the Land and Environment Court site.

A spokesperson from Evans Head Residents for Sustainable Development (EHRFSD) said today following the Hearing that it was disappointing to witness the wholesale, and what appeared to be, valid criticism of the case material prepared by the staff of Richmond Valley Council in their affidavit to the Court. The problem was made worse by the fact that the material was not made available to the public and Council’s General Manager had written a generic letter to those asking for more information about the case that it would not be doing so:

Significant cost to ratepayers

The spokesperson for EHRFSD said that the case had already costed ratepayers a seven figure amount and more costs were on the way. He also added that given that the community had provided so much valid criticism about the former DA that it was decidedly wrong to exclude the community from the information attached to the case.

‘The community is not asking for a “running commentary” on legal proceedings,’ he said. ‘We have never done so. What we are asking for is the basic information such as new reports and affidavits and plans on which the case for an amended DA is based so that we can assess for ourselves the veracity of materials being presented, follow court proceedings and draw our own conclusions. The community is not stupid and has much to offer and it is becoming patently clear through what appears to be a dismal performance by council in material preparation, that community input may be essential to the case as it has been in the past for success.

‘There is no doubt that the case is a complex one but this is not a ground for refusing to provide basic information to an interested public, particularly one that has already gone through four versions of the DA and made substantial submissions.

‘As it currently stands the question before the Court, as we understand it is, “are the changes to the application so significant that it should be a new DA process, or should it be approved by the L&EC without further consideration by the public, as an amended application?”

‘It is our view that even in the absence of detailed information the amendment application looks like a very different application to the one we have seen and should be treated accordingly as a new DA,’ he told The Echo.

‘But there is a bigger question here which council has refused, and continues to refuse, to deal with and that is, “is the Iron Gates a suitable area for residential development or should it be rezoned in keeping with it natural and cultural attributes for environmental protection?”

‘This is a question that the community has been asking for a review of for decades. It is important to remember that this land was zoned for residential development in the early 1980’s, forty years ago when the “white shoe” brigade was in ascendance.

‘It is vital to ask the question “is residential zoning appropriate here today given the future impacts of climate change and our better understanding of the environment, protection of the public interest, and keeping the public out of harm’s way? There is recent precedent for doing so in the Clarence Valley,’ he explained.

Read the full article at:

https://www.echo.net.au/2023/07/richmond-valley-council-drops-the-ball-in-appeals-case-before-the-lec/

Flood modelling, mapping, studies, levee rehabilitation, warning signs, new gauges are worth very little if the NSW Government and North Coast councils continue to allow developers to build on flood prone land and within known floodways or flood storage areas

Below is a list of flood-related issues that the Australian and NSW governments, along with local governments and county councils in the Northern Rivers region, will engage with rather than addressing the rampaging elephant in the room. 

That is, the continued support of extensive urban development on floodplains in the heavily populated state coastal zone and, current environmental and planning legislation which is an inadequate vehicle to deal with any and all risk associated with an Australian climate undergoing continual uncharted change. 

Flood modelling, mapping, studies, levee rehabilitation, warning signs, new gauges, on paper evacuation routes and the like are worth very little if the NSW Perrottet Government and councils across the state (including those in Northern NSW) continue to allow developers to build on identified paths floods are known to travel, or if by consenting to the raising of largescale subdivision ground heights on flood prone land both government and councils redirect groundwater flows causing further riverine and stormwater inundation in towns and villages during heavy rainfall events.

The Northern NSW list.......

NSW Dept. of Planning and the Environment, Floodplain management grants awarded and project summaries, information retrieved 26 September 2022.

2021-22 NSW Government Floodplain Management Grants:

Tweed Shire Council

Tweed Heads south levee overtopping and drainage study

This project will provide a local flood risk management study for the South Tweed business district and residential area. The study will examine flooding, drainage and the hydraulic characteristics of the local levee and drainage systems, in order to identify potential flood risk mitigation and improvement measures. It will also include analysis of future flooding risks such as sea level rise and climate change. The findings of the study will inform development controls in the region and provide a local floodplain risk management strategy, including measures to be implemented within the area to reduce the impacts of flooding.

Raising and Extension of Tweed Heads South Levee is expected to cost $27 million over a 30 year period.

Byron Shire Council

Debris control measures for Federation Bridge

Federation Bridge is the major bridge in Mullumbimby crossing the Brunswick River. Federation Bridge's pile design makes the structure vulnerable to the collection of debris, which causes a major blockage to floodway flow in the Brunswick River at Mullumbimby. This was a contributing factor to the increase in flood levels within Mullumbimby during the 2017 flood event. This project will undertake the investigation, design and construction of bridge control measures to reduce the potential of river blockage at Federation Bridge.

2020-21 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is funded by Resilience NSW:

Lismore City Council

Review and update Lismore flood risk management plan

Lismore experienced a major flood event in March 2017, which peaked at 11.59m Australian height datum (Lismore Rowing Club gauge) and saw the central business district levee overtopped for the first time since it was completed in 2005. Rous County Council recently prepared a flood risk management study following the 2017 event. This project will update Lismore's flood risk management plan, based on the findings of the flood risk management study.

Richmond Valley Council

Update the Richmond River flood study

This project will produce a single consistent flood model for the Richmond Valley local government area from Casino to Broadwater. This involves rebuilding the Richmond River flood model (2010) for use in modern flood model software, inclusion of calibrated modelling for the Casino township, and the merging of the Evans River flood study (2014) and the Pacific Highway Woolgoolga to Ballina road upgrade flood modelling. This will result in the elimination of disparity between the Richmond River and Casino models where they interface and overlap.

2019-20 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management:

Clarence Valley Council

Alice Street levee rehabilitation – investigation and design

A section of the levee between Queen and Alice Street has been identified as being at risk due to scouring and undercutting, potentially causing slips that will risk the stability of the levee. This project will carry out a geotechnical assessment on the stability of the flood levee and riverbank and recommend options to improve riverbank stability in this area.

Wooli flood study and management plan – review and update

This project will update the 1999 Wooli floodplain risk management plan to incorporate recent flood events and best practice modelling to predict flood levels. The updated flood study and plan for Wooli will allow for informed decisions on managing flood risk.

Tweed Shire Council

Detailed design of Murwillumbah central business district levee spillway

During the March 2017 flood, the earthen section of the Murwillumbah central business district levee was overtopped in a few localised low points. The overtopping occurred in an unexpected location and in an uncontrolled nature. The Murwillumbah central business district levee and drainage study recommended the remediation of the levee low points and installation of a formalised spillway to achieve safe and controlled overtopping of the levee during events equal to or greater than the levee crest. This project will complete a detailed design for a spillway and levee rehabilitation.

Update and expansion of the Tweed Valley flood study

The current Tweed Valley flood study was completed in 2009 and covered only the more populated areas of the Tweed. Historical records and anecdotal evidence suggest that there are many more properties in the Tweed Shire's rural areas and villages that are exposed to flooding. This project proposes to expand the Tweed Valley flood study into the upper catchment to cover the villages of Chillingham, Tyalgum, Kunghur, Uki, Stokers Siding, Bilambil and the rural areas in between. Flood intelligence in these areas will allow Council to identify high-risk areas/properties.

Kyogle Council

Bonalbo flood study

Council will undertake a flood study to improve their understanding of flood behaviour and impacts, and to make better informed management decisions in relation to flood risk in Bonalbo. This study will also provide a sound technical basis for any further flood risk management investigations in the area.

2018-19 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government:

Clarence Valley Council

Bluff Bridge (Orara River) flood monitoring

This project will install a remotely monitored flood gauge in the Orara River at Bluff Bridge to enable residents to be aware of when the road is closed. Flooding of the Orara River has caused the Orara Way to close on many occasions at this location. The closure causes isolation and inconvenience to the community of Glenreagh and surrounds as well as through traffic between Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

The Bluff Bridge Flood Monitoring System was switched on in August-September 2020.

Lower Clarence rural floodplain risk management study and plan

This project will prepare a rural floodplain risk management study and plan. In 2014, a report on the management of flood mitigation assets identified that the Council may be maintaining floodplain works that have little or no flood mitigation benefit or that perpetuate environmental harm. The report concluded that the best option was to prepare a new floodplain risk management plans for the rural floodplain.

Tweed Shire Council

Coastal Creeks flash flood warning system

Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes creeks are subjected to flash flooding with little or no warning. This project will undertake modelling to establish the gauge triggers necessary for the flash flood warning system to be effective. Once triggers are determined the warning system will be investigated and implemented. Extensive community engagement is proposed to ensure residents are aware of the action they should take.

Community flood markers

This project involves the fabrication and installation of flood markers and signage to record the level of the March 2017 flood event in various impacted suburbs. This includes updating previous signage commemorating the 1954 flood, as well as additional markers on street poles. The signage project will be complemented by consultation activities and media to raise flood awareness in these communities.

2017-18 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government:

Clarence Valley Council

Clarence Valley floor level surveys

There is a lack of knowledge regarding floor heights of buildings located within the Clarence Valley floodplain. This project will undertake floor height surveys of these buildings. This information will be used in conjunction with the lower Clarence flood model for a variety of floodplain management purposes, including refining the evacuation strategies; assisting with the cost/benefit assessments for potential levee augmentations to improve flood immunity; and identify properties that would be eligible for potential future house raising assistance.

Tweed Shire Council

Enhance Burringbar/Mooball/Crabbes Creek gauge network

There are currently 2 rain gauges in the Burringbar and upper Crabbes Creek catchments. This project will install 2 additional rain gauges upstream of Burringbar to improve flood warning in the area.

Incorporate Tumbulgum gauge into flood warning system

The automatic stream gauge at Tumbulgum is not currently included in the Bureau of Meteorology's formal flood warning network. This project will incorporate the gauge at Tumbulgum into the Bureau of Meteorology flood warning network. This will improve predictions of flood height in the mid catchment, by including influences from the tide and Rous River, and will improve flood warnings and real-time evacuation planning.

South Murwillumbah – Condong flow path/levee performance study

This project will deliver a flood study for the south Murwillumbah business district and residential area. The study will examine flooding and the hydraulic characteristics of south Murwillumbah Condong floodway, including the effectiveness of the current levee system. The findings of the study will inform development controls in the region and provide a floodplain risk strategy, including potential property modification measures such as land acquisition and structural works to maintain or improve the efficiency of the floodway.

2016-17 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Program and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government.

Ballina Shire Council

Ballina Island and West Ballina Flood Protection Feasibility Study and Plan

This project will develop a strategy to protect the existing urban footprint of Ballina Island and West Ballina below the one percent annual exceedance probability flood level from mainstream, storm surge and local overland flooding that can be adapted for future sea level rise. The strategy will be used to implement development controls, identify feasible infrastructure upgrades and structural protection measures available to reduce the impacts of flooding to Ballina Island and West Ballina.

Byron Shire Council

North Byron Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

There is considerable development pressure in the North Byron catchment and Council is currently preparing a future residential development strategy. This project will develop a risk management study and plan for the area to ensure that the existing and future development will be managed in accordance with flood hazards.

Kyogle Council

Tabulam Village floodplain risk management study and plan

The village of Tabulam is flood prone and major flooding has impacted on the village and its residents in the past. Development of the Tabulam floodplain risk management study and plan will assist in identifying the way to manage the risk of flooding impacts within the village area. This will provide guidance for the control measures required for the existing developed area and identify risks involved in new development. Beneficial control measures will be identified and implemented.

Rous County Council

Tuckean floodgate management plan review

The Tuckean floodgate management plan review will address the functional effectiveness and sustainability of Council's infrastructure on the Northern Rivers of NSW. This project will inform and update the Richmond Catchment flood model by providing a refinement of scale to allow feeder canals, drains and tidal variation inclusion. This approach will allow greater understanding of the hydrological function of the Tuckean floodgate, which is known as an acid hotspot. This will also allow Council to revise floodgate management plans in the area and support the community's desire for improved water quality in the Richmond River.

Tweed Shire Council

South Murwillumbah voluntary purchase scheme

A voluntary purchase scheme is in place for high hazard flood affected homes along the Tweed River frontage of River Street, South Murwillumbah. The existing earthen levee provides limited low level protection from small flood events. Properties have been purchased in the region over the past twenty years. Only a few eligible properties remain, and it is difficult to predict when these will be purchased, given the voluntary nature of the program and the owner's willingness to sell their property. Once removed, the properties will become public open space to be enjoyed by the wider Tweed community.

2015-16 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Program and Floodplain Risk Management Grants Scheme, which was jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government.

Richmond River County Council

Richmond Catchment Flood Model compilation and Australian height datum adjustment

This project is designed to refine the existing Richmond River catchment flood models and aims to link all existing flood models into a catchment model to provide continuity across the catchment.

Tweed Shire Council

South Murwillumbah Voluntary Purchase Scheme

A voluntary purchase scheme is in place for high hazard flood affected homes along the Tweed River frontage of River Street South Murwillumbah. This project will provide funding for the purchase of the few eligible properties that remain if the opportunity arises to purchase the property.

2014-15 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Program and Floodplain Risk Management Grants Scheme, which was jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government.

Kyogle Council

Kyogle – flood modification measures: construction activities

This project involves construction activities associated with the structural flood modification measures identified in Council's Floodplain Risk Management Plan, including a partial ring levee and additional Fawcetts Creek flood breakout.

Richmond River County Council

Water Quality Monitoring – Richmond River Catchment

This project will undertake water quality monitoring. The water quality monitoring is linked to the flood mitigation systems as it triggers the opening and closure thresholds (water level and pH) of the floodgate.

Richmond Valley flood warning and evacuation planning system - rural home floor

This project will collect ground and floor level data that can be used in flood warning and evacuation systems and detail homes that are a priority for house raising or evacuation.

Lismore rural evacuation – house floor level plan

This project will survey the floor levels of houses in the most impacted areas. The information will inform potential purchasers of the risks associated with individual houses in the rural area and at the same time give emergency response agencies good information on where resources should be deployed in a flood.

Flood evacuation South Lismore

This project will examine the option for constructing a new high level escape route to high ground for South Lismore.