Susanna Freymark
Debbie Johnston is thrilled to hear the Bungawalbin levee that runs through her property will be repaired.
Debbie and others have been fighting since the 2022 floods to repair the levee.
“I can’t wait for it to start,” she said.
Rous County Council announced a $6.9million grant for Bungawalbin levee remediation under the Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program and th State and Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Recovery funding arrangements.
The funding will mean the 8km earth Bungawalbin levee can fixed – the levee protects properties along the eastern side of Bungawalbin Creek and in some instances around Swan Bay and towards Rocky Mouth Creek.
The levee is located between Woodburn and Coraki in the Richmond Valley Council area and protects the area against minor and moderate floods.
It was damaged in the flood events of 2017, 2021, and 2022.
Rous chair Robert Mustow said the investment in Bungawalbin levee comes after considerable effort from the community and Rous to highlight its importance.
Rous County Council will collaborate with NSW Public Works to finalise the scope of the remediation works.
This initiative follows successful repairs to the Tuckombil Levee which protects Woodburn and surrounds from flooding from Tuckombil Canal and the Evans River, also funded through the NDRA and disaster recovery arrangements.
The Tuckombil levee repairs were guided by specialised geotechnical advice on how to repair the levee and what material to use.
The repair work was then independently inspected and assessed when completed. Emergency works were also recently completed on Bungawalbin Levee to repair a section of rock armouring that had slumped following the 2022 flood.
“The repair of Tuckombil Levee is an example of the work Rous does to manage and maintain its large network of historic, rural flood mitigation infrastructure,” Mr Mustow.
Ms Johnston thanked State MP Janelle Saffin for pushing for this levee funding.