Work is underway on a new $2.85 million flood pumping station for Murwillumbah, the NSW Reconstruction Authority has announced.
Delivered by the Authority and funded through the Federal Government’s $150 million Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP), the East Murwillumbah station will feature two high-capacity pumps capable of moving nearly 1,500 litres of stormwater per second.
The George Street pumping station is the cornerstone of an integrated engineering program designed to protect homes and businesses by reducing the frequency, duration and impact of localised flooding.
“Our community knows better than most what flooding costs, not just in dollars, but in disruption, stress and lost time,” said Tweed Valley Mayor, Chris Cherry.
“This pumping station is a real, tangible step toward a more resilient Murwillumbah. We’ll keep pushing until the full system is complete.”
The project follows the successful completion of the Murwillumbah (Brothers) Leagues Club pump station in late 2024. Both stations sit within the town’s levee system, specifically designed to ‘lift’ trapped stormwater over the walls and into the river when high water levels would otherwise cause the town to back-flood.
By addressing recurring neighbourhood flooding in low-lying urban areas, the pumps will significantly shorten the time it takes for streets to clear and life to return to normal after heavy rain.
The pump stations are part of six flood mitigation upgrades in Murwillumbah, valued at $15.5 million in combined funding, under the NRRRP including:
- new pump system behind Dorothy/William Street;
- upgrades to Wharf Street and Lavender Creek pump stations;
- modification works at Alma Street;
- earthworks at Quarry Road.
Works to upgrade Lavender Creek pump station are expected to be completed later this year, with Wharf Street pump station completed in 2027.
“The Albanese Government remains committed to supporting the recovery and resilience works continuing to roll out across the Northern Rivers region after the devastating 2021/22 floods,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain.
“As part of our direct investment in the region through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, we’re seeing good progress on practical flood mitigation projects just like this, as well as a broad range of projects that address community recovery and resilience.
“I’d like to thank the NSW Government, Tweed Valley Council and the community groups involved for their efforts in getting this project underway.”
