Bungawallbin levee to undergo $6.9 million rebuild after 2022 northern NSW floods

Northern Rivers residents campaigned tirelessly for important infrastructure safeguarding vast areas of farmland to be fixed pronto after the record 2022 floods – now they’re finally celebrating a win.

The Bungawallbin Levee, 30km west of Evans Head, protects vast areas of farmland and needs to be repaired. Picture: Deborah Johnston

They copped some flak while tirelessly campaigning to have a flood-wrecked Northern Rivers levee fixed, but Richmond residents are now celebrating a loosening of state and federal purse strings.

Bungawalbin Levee, between Woodburn and Coraki in the Richmond Valley Council area safeguards against minor and moderate floods.

But damage to the levee, most notably sustained in the 2017, 2021, and 2022 flooding events, means it needs to be urgently repaired.

The levee will finally be repaired.

Now Rous County Council has announced the approval of a $6.9 million grant provided under the federal government’s Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program, as well as the NSW and federal government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The money will lead to the remediation of the 8km earth levee protecting properties along the eastern side of Bungawalbin Creek, and in some instances around to Swan Bay and toward Rocky Mouth Creek.

The damaged levee. Picture: Deborah Johnston

Bungawalbin resident Deb Johnson said the levee broke for the first time in 2017, again in 2021 and “it went right over in 2022”.

The 2022 floods are recognised as the worst to ever hit northern NSW towns and cities.

Mid-Richmond’s Ms Johnson said she and other campaigners were “very excited” to see the scope of the remediation.

“It’s not just the people at Bungawalbin, it’s Swan Bay, it’s Woodburn as well (that will benefit),” she said.

Ms Johnson thanked Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin: “She basically got it done, which is ridiculous.”

She said Ms Saffin “got done in two weeks” what should have been ticked off two years ago.

Evans Head resident Lyndall Murray said: “The government has finally seen sense to pick something that will help protect people’s lives and homes from future flooding. It shouldn’t have taken so long or been such a hard fight.”

Ms Johnson and Woodburn resident Jim McCormack spearheaded the campaign and rallied many in the community.

The Bungawallbin Levee, 30km west of Evans Head, protects vast areas of farmland and needs to be repaired. Picture: Deborah Johnston

Richmond Valley Mayor and Rous County Council chair Robert Mustow said an “independent assessment of the levee, funded by Rous, has paved the way for this significant investment”.

“Bungawalbin Levee is highly valued by flood plain landowners and residents for the service it provides,” he said.

The council will work with NSW Public Works to finalise plans.

Repairs to a section of rock that had slumped following the 2022 flood.

The tick for the levee fix follows successful repairs to the Tuckombil Levee protecting Woodburn and surrounds from flooding from Tuckombil Canal and Evans River. It was funded similarly.

Levees in the area reduce the impact of flooding by reducing inundation of valuable agricultural land, homes, infrastructure and roads earmarked for evacuations.

The Tuckombil repairs were guided by specialised geotechnical advice and the work was independently inspected and assessed when completed.

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