CSIRO, Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative:
The National Emergency Management Agency has engaged CSIRO to undertake a project to understand flood risk factors in the Northern Rivers region of NSW and identify flood mitigation options.
The Australian Government is providing $150 million in 2022–23 for priority flood resilience projects in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
The Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative will provide science to inform the investment, through a process to understand the drivers behind the unprecedented flood event in February-March 2022 and develop community-supported solutions for resilience investment.
The has engaged Australia’s national science agency CSIRO to support the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, which will consider climate, catchment and hydrological systems, and the broader influences of land-use practice and infrastructure.
This $11.2 million Initiative will enable us to assess different mitigation scenarios, consider the broader influences mentioned above, such as land use, and identify and prioritise options for mitigating flood risks in the Northern Rivers region. A core part of the project is to undertake engagement with key stakeholders to seek their views regarding priorities for investment.
This map identifies the flood-effected Local Government Areas in the Northern Rivers region of NSW where the project will be carried out. Places such as Lismore, Ballina and Grafton are shown
The project consists of two key parts:
1. Rapid review and assessment – Over the first six months, previous studies will be reviewed to identify flood mitigation options across the Northern Rivers region. Each of the seven flood-affected Local Government Areas in the region, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed, will be consulted to identify and prioritise the most effective intervention options.
Outcome – This work, due in December 2022, will inform investment in the Northern Rivers region in 2022–23, to support recovery and resilience efforts.
2. Detailed modelling – This two-year program of work will collate and generate Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data to provide spatial analysis and hydrological/ hydrodynamic modelling of water movement for the Northern Rivers region. It will also involve examining and evaluating possible events or scenarios that could take place in the future, drawing on local knowledge and expertise on the catchment and flooding.
Outcome – In addition to capturing LiDAR data for modelling and analysis of the entire Northern Rivers region, this work will deliver a detailed hydrodynamic model for the Richmond River catchment. The model will be used to investigate a range of possible scenarios and actions to mitigate flood risk in the Richmond River catchment. The final report for this work is due in May 2024.
Community and stakeholder engagement
From July to October 2022 – Engagement with stakeholders will take place by the CSIRO team in the flood affected area. To view the time-line of activity read our factsheet Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative PDF (351 KB)
CSIRO is working closely with Alluvium Consulting, an environmental consultancy, and their local staff, along with NEMA Recovery Support Officers based in the region for the rapid review and assessment over the first six months. Meetings and workshops with local councils and community groups will discuss existing available information, identify other relevant materials on flood risk, and seek community views to inform the research.
To take part in the community workshops register on the links below:
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Sessions are open
All sessions are open for you to drop in any time between 11.00 am to 6.00 pm
Workshop Date Registration
Goonellabah Community Centre, Goonellabah Monday 17 October Register here
Lismore Workers Sports Club, Lismore Tuesday 18 October Register here
Wardell Catholic Church Hall, Wardell Wednesday 19 October Register here
Ballina Jockey Club, Ballina Thursday 20 October Register here
Woodburn Memorial Hall, Woodburn Monday 24 October Register here
Casino Community & Cultural Centre, Casino Monday 24 October Register here
Coraki Golf Club Tuesday 25 October Register here
Maclean Bowls Club, Maclean Wednesday 26 October Register here
If you are a community member and cannot attend a workshop but would still like to participate, you can fill in our online Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative questionnaire
To contact workshop organisers email nrri@csiro.au
Full announcement here.
