Levee funds sought

A PETITION put together by the residents of Brushgrove has helped them in their ongoing battle for a levee to help flood-proof the village.

A PETITION put together by the residents of Brushgrove has helped them in their ongoing battle for a levee to help flood-proof the village - but it won't come cheap.

Clarence Valley Council has agreed to support the Brushgrove community in its efforts to have a levee constructed and will contribute $1 million toward the infrastructure.

The levee, which will be about two kilometres long and up to three metres high in parts, will cost an estimated $3.5 million.

Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson said council would lobby the State Government for a 2:1 subsidy, through new member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis.

"Council's contribution will be more than one million dollars," Cr Williamson said.

"Brushgrove village is united on this issue and the community has council's whole-hearted support."

Cr Williamson said the council's $1 million contribution would come from future budgets.

"The current policy is the house-raising policy and we do have a limited amount of funds to put towards the house-raising policy," Cr Williamson said.

"Should the State Government partner with council, that million dollars would need to be found in budgets in coming financial years.

"So, we are going to lobby as best we can on behalf of the residents of Brushgrove who have asked us to do that."

Cr Williamson said he realised there were "competing interests" across the state but said Clarence Valley Council would be bringing the "strongest possible case" to the NSW Government on behalf of Brushgrove residents to obtain the two-to-one funding for the levee.

"It's been some considerable time and this is not the first time a council has asked the state to pitch in funds," he said.

Originally published as Levee funds sought