Channel at hardware store to cut CBD flooding at Lismore

HEAVY machinery has moved in to start creating a channel to improve the flow of floodwaters behind the Masters Home Improvement Store site at South Lismore.

Lismore from the air during the 2009 flood. Picture: DAVID NIELSEN

HEAVY machinery has moved in to start work on creating a channel to improve the flow of floodwaters behind the site of the Masters Home Improvement Store in south Lismore.

The Wilsons River Channel Improvement Project was a condition from Lismore Council and is expected to give a 100mm benefit to the CBD in a 1-in-100 year flood.

"This is great for Lismore on two fronts - we get a flood benefit and it brings a major destination retail store to the city," said council's strategic property project manager Lindsay Walker.

Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell said construction of the Masters warehouse next to Bunnings was expected to create about 100 jobs during construction and 100 more when the store opens.

"Some of the overseeing contractors will be staying here for months and they will be using some local contractors. The fact that we get the public benefit of the earthworks adds to the level of excitement of this project," she said.

It will be the only Masters Store between the Gold Coast and Newcastle and Cr Dowell expected people would travel from outside the region to shop there.

Construction should begin in two months and the store could open by the yearend.

The Masters Home Improvement Store will include:

• A building of 9900sq m.
• 389 car parking spaces.
• Construction of a new roundabout on the Bruxner Hwy.
• Road widening to facilitate the roundabout.