Flood recovery update

Scenic Drive Site B - completed.

Council’s contractors Australian Marine and Civil Pty Ltd (AMC) have now opened the entire length of Scenic Drive at Bilambil Height to dual lanes of traffic.    

Originally anticipated to be completed at the end of March, AMC have put the finishing touches to Scenic Drive with the road now open to dual lanes.

The devastating flood rains of February and March in 2022 caused two major slips on Scenic Drive.

Project Manager Russell Brown said work first started on the $2.7 million project in August last year.

“AMC are very experienced in this type of work and by using new types of backfill and construction blocks, they were able to speed up construction,” Mr Brown said.

“In total, 209 No Fines concrete blocks were installed between both slip sites – 130 at site B and 65 at site A on the southern side and 14 on the upslope remediation works.

“More than 450m3 of No Fines concrete was used as back fill along with around 600m3 of fill and road base brough in to bring the road up to height.

“While site B was the larger of the 2 slips, it didn’t pose the technical challenges of site A.

“Concrete piles had to be constructed at site A which was the deeper of the slips with the contractors boring down as far as 5 metres to anchor onto bedrock at the base of the slip.

“More than 900 tonnes of rock were supplied and placed on the boulder retaining walls on the sites.”

For more information on these and other repairs, visit Flood recovery works.

Work to repair the significant landslip on Tyalgum Road is set to progress, with a $16 million contract awarded to local construction company SEE Civil Pty Ltd.

The contract was awarded following an extensive tendering process, supported by a Letter of Agreement from Transport for NSW, and will allow the contractor to progress design work from 30% to 100%.

A further $4 million will go towards additional costs on the project, such as land acquisition and site works, bringing the total cost of the Tyalgum Road landslip repair to $20 million.

SEE Civil are also the preferred contractor for the $2.3 million project to restore the two slips on Limpinwood Road – the main alternative access route to Tyalgum village. Transport for NSW are currently assessing the proposed works prior to Council awarding of the Contract.

Design work for Tyalgum Road is expected to take until late May to complete, with work expected to start on site around the same time.

The contractor’s design work will include the provision of temporary access through the Tyalgum Road site, with the aim for this to be in place by the latter quarter of this year.

Limpinwood Road will remain open to one lane as per the current situation while reconstruction work takes place, which is also expected to start at the end of May.

The major landslip on Tyalgum Road is about 950 metres east of Van Den Broek Road. There is another slip about 1 km west of this major landslip.

The damage site is more than 100 metres in width, some 60 metres in length and appears to comprise of some 6-10 metres depth of material which has slipped.

SEE Civil are also the preferred contractor for the $2.3 million project to restore the two slips on Limpinwood Road – the main alternative access route to Tyalgum village.

Transport for NSW are currently assessing the proposed works prior to Council awarding of the Contract.

Limpinwood Road will remain open to one lane as per the current situation while reconstruction work takes place, which is also expected to start at the end of May.

Contractors have completed road reconstruction along Zara Road between Bald Mountain Road and Astron Road.

Guardrail works are planned for Zara Road in the near future along with plans for a section of pavement to be removed, replaced and sealed.

For more information on these and other repairs, visit Flood recovery works

Council is continuing with flood recovery works on Numinbah Road between Murwillumbah and Chillingham.

One of Council’s priorities is addressing the slip site to the east of Chillingham which  restricts traffic to one lane.

Design work is currently being carried out for this site and the work has gone out to tender which will close in early April.

Motorists are reminded to obey traffic signs, especially Give Way signs which are in place for safety.

Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd has been selected as the preferred contractor to restore 3 sites on Kyogle Road in contracts worth more than $28 million.

Transport for NSW is currently assessing the proposed works prior to Council’s awarding the contracts.

The contract includes major landslips on Kyogle Road located 500 m to 1.6 km west of Byangum Bridge.

Traffic is reduced to one lane and is being controlled by traffic lights at the slip immediately west of Byangum Bridge.

Motorists are advised to watch for changed traffic conditions and to follow workplace signage which is enforceable by law.

Speed zones are designed to keep both road crews and motorists safe.

A significant step forward in the repair of Reserve Creek Road has been achieved with Transport for NSW issuing confirmation to allow further design work to progress.

Contractor SEE Civil Pty Ltd has been awarded the restoration work contract worth $5,978,367 and the company will now progress design work from 30% to 100% completion.

Initial work on site is expected to start after Easter, with the aim of temporary access being completed part way through construction, approximately 7 weeks after site work begins.

Council Director Engineering David Oxenham said allowing the full design work to progress would be welcome news to residents who live in the Reserve Creek area.

“The Reserve Creek Road landslip presents a major design and engineering challenge,” Mr Oxenham said.

“The 2022 February – March floods significantly undermined the road, causing a 15-metre high, near-vertical landslip.

“We are pleased to finally sign off with Transport for NSW for their funding approval to cover the cost of repairs, which will allow SEE Civil to commence work to build greater resilience to combat natural disasters and the impacts of climate change into an important part of our road network.”

Council has selected Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd as the preferred contractor to restore Mt Warning Road with works worth more than $11 million.

Transport for NSW is currently assessing the proposed works prior to Council’s awarding of the contract.

The temporary side-track was installed to provide access past a landslip that destroyed a length of road. 

Tweed homeowners, devastated by the 2022 floods, could be eligible to raise, repair, retrofit or have their home voluntarily bought back though the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Fund package jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments.

The Resilient Homes Program will begin reaching out to eligible residents from November 2022.

Residents already engaged in the Flood Property Assessment Program, delivered by NSW Public Works and Johns Lyng Group, will be contacted automatically.

Registrations are still open for the Flood Property Assessment Program.

Residents not yet engaged in the Flood Property Assessment Program are encouraged to submit their contact details to the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.

Visit the Resilient Homes Fund web page for more information about the program, including guidelines, eligibility and co-contributions.

Tweed property owners whose residential or commercial building was damaged by the 2022 floods are invited to participate in the free NSW Government Flood Property Assessment Program (FPAP).

The opt-in program provides property owners with a free assessment report, including a comprehensive scope of repair works and an estimate of repair costs to pre-flood conditions.

The Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW), in conjunction with NSW Public Works, has appointed the Johns Lyng Group as the managing contractor who will provide qualified assessors and demolition services for the program.

By registering with Service NSW, a case manager from Johns Lyng Group will be in touch to schedule an initial building inspection. A case manager will be assigned to you who can assist at any stage of the process.

A building inspection will be carried out and you will be presented with a detailed assessment report.

The assessment report is only provided to you and is not available to council, insurers or the general public. However, you can provide the report to your insurer or builder to assist with planning repairs or rebuilding.

Owners can use the report to determine their next course of action.

To find out more about eligibility and details of the process visit the Flood Property Assessment Program web page or call 1300 294 027. 

If your residential or small business property is in the Tweed and you are concerned that the soil on your property may have been contaminated by the February and March 2022 floods, you can request to have the land assessed.

The assessment is carried out by qualified inspectors as part of the Contaminated Lands Assessment Program. This program is being managed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and is being jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

You can complete the online form for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

Property owners and tenants will need to submit a separate request for each property.

Applications close 30 June 2023.

All ground surface level property assessments performed under the program will be assessed by a land contamination expert engaged by the EPA, with priority being based on the risk to public health and the environment.

The program will not reimburse you for flood contamination assessment costs if the assessment has already been performed or completed.

For more information, registering and frequently asked questions, visit the EPA website.

Following the termination of Resilience NSW in December last year, the majority of functions of the agency have now been taken on by NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSW RA).

The work of the former Resilience NSW remains a priority and is ongoing and will continue as part of the NSW Reconstruction Authority which is dedicated to assisting communities in flood-impacted regions.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 establishes the agency as the lead agency for disaster prevention and preparedness and reconstruction and recovery following disasters and other emergencies.  

While under the Act, NSW RA will continue key functions such as:

• disaster prevention and preparedness, including
• reconstruction and recovery following disasters and other emergencies,
• to provide advice and support to local councils to help maximise the effectiveness of councils’ disaster preparedness and reconstruction programs,
• to lead public education on disaster risks and certain disaster preparations,
• to assist with the development of flood plans.

For more information, visit NSW Reconstruction Authority

Flood-impacted commercial landlords in the Tweed will be able to apply for support  thanks to the Australian and NSW Governments.

The $30 million Northern Rivers Commercial Property – Return to Business Support Grant assists property owners who lease to small and medium businesses in the Northern Rivers.

This support will cover repair-related costs for landlords to ensure retail businesses can reopen and could include clean-up services, hiring equipment or covering the cost of building repairs.

The grants will support the repair of commercial premises to help businesses reopen their doors, get locals back to work and keep the local economy moving.

Applications for the Northern Rivers Commercial Property – Return to Business Support Grant are now open.

Customers are able to register to be notified when applications open by contacting Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Flood-impacted commercial property owners and landlords in the Northern Rivers will be able to apply for up to $50,000.

For a full list of all available support, visit nsw.gov.au/floods or call Service NSW 13 77 88.

Is your business in a location that was impacted by the 2022 flood crisis?

The Strengthening Business Program is free and connects you with experts to help your business recover, become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future.

An independent facilitator will work with you to address the challenges and opportunities your business now faces.  

You'll get a roadmap with strategies and goals to achieve in the immediate, medium and long term. Your facilitator will recommend ways to strengthen your business systems, operations and strategies. 

They work with you for 12 months helping you to achieve your business objectives. 

Visit the My Business website for more information. 

The Chinderah Donation Hub, located at 23/18 Ozone Street, Chinderah, in the Chinderah Industrial Estate (behind the BP Service Centre), located between Supaloc and Chinderah Motors, is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Mondays

Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre RSS team are at the hub Mondays 9 am-1 pm assisting flood affected community.

Wednesdays

The MCC service is also operating from the Hub on Wednesdays from 1 pm – 4 pm by appointment for Flood Recovery.

Thursdays

Services NSW staff will continue outreach services every second Thursday from 9 am-4 pm.

Thursday, 23 March, 6 April, 20 April etc

Fridays

Fridays 9:30 am-2:30 pm we are operating a Low-Cost Food Pantry (cash only). This is opening to the community who are flood affected and/or government pension/concession card holders.

We still have frozen meals available Monday- Friday and  Thursday and Fridays we have a range of fresh produce and baked goods available (free).

The Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre is open for face-to-face appointments, including Recovery Support Service (RSS).

We link people to their own personalised recovery support worker, who can help them navigate and access services and disaster assistance packages.

Our RSS can provide:

• A dedicated support worker
• Assistance in accessing financial grants and services
• Assistance in applying for an At-Home Caravan
• Practical, personal and emotional support
• Psycho-social groups
• Information and referrals for specialist services

The recovery support workers also support people with the ongoing emotional, physical and financial impacts of floods, which may impact their longer term health and wellbeing.

Recovery support workers walk alongside affected people, acknowledging and addressing their challenges and struggles while respecting people’s strengths and their recovery choices and preferences.

The Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre is located at 10b – 12a Elizabeth St, Pottsville. For more information, call 02 6676 4555 or 0476 677 422, email rss@pbnc.org.au  

Flood impacted community members experiencing mental health distress now have a Safe Haven hub in Murwillumbah offering support to those most vulnerable.

There are no appointments or referrals needed, so whether you need some peace and quiet, a chat with someone who understands what you’re going through, or some calming activities to reduce the intensity of your negative thoughts and feelings, you can walk right in.

For more information on the Murwillumbah Safe Haven, visit Safe Haven North Coast website.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services: 

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

The Disaster Response Legal Service (DRLS) is a free legal service that is available to anyone who has been affected by disasters.

This service, which is currently available from the Flood Recovery Centre in Murwillumbah at the Coolamon Centre.

The DRLS provides a range of assistance for disaster affected Tweed individuals with legal issues like: 

• Insurance claims and disputes
• Housing and rental problems including caravan parks – damage to premises, rent reductions, repairs, etc.
• Credit, debt, fines and financial hardship
• Eligibility for disaster welfare payments and Government grants
• Employment – unfair dismissals, entitlements,
• Replacing important documents
• Domestic violence
• Other legal problems related to disasters.

Further information and links are available on the Disaster Response Legal Service website.

The Murwillumbah Community Centre (MCC) has resumed normal services for 2023 at the Coolamon Centre in Murwillumbah.

The MCC service is also operating from the Chinderah Donation Hub, 18 Ozone Street, Chinderah on Wednesdays for Flood Recovery.

For those seeking flood recovery support, bookings are required. MCC is currently providing the following flood recovery services and activities: access to Recovery support workers (Tuesday to Thursday), Gaining Higher Ground: art therapy based group every Tuesday from 1 pm to 4 pm at Nullum House, Knox Park until Tuesday 11 April.

Gaining Higher ground is expected to start at Anglican parish in Kingscliff in March.

For more information contact the MCC on 02 6672 3003.

Services NSW is operating from 289-291 Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah opposite the former railway station. For further information please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88. 

After the Disaster is a relatable and informative podcast produced by ABC Radio and will have particular meaning to many people in our shire.
Listen to Dr Kate Brady, National Recovery Advisor to Australian Red Cross as she speaks with people who have been impacted by disaster and those who have researched the best way through.

After the Disaster covers wellbeing advice for yourself and those around you, to parenting and insurance and even dealing with memorial events.

"I cried in that first 7 minute one. Not bawling, just shed a few tears at how accurate "After the Disaster" is. And how it talked about slowing down and looking after yourself...What a great resource! Thank you!" - Murwillumbah resident

Disasters take time to recover from and being supported in that journey is important.

Making a time and a place to remember the moment of a disaster can be fraught but there are some things you can do to make the process easier. This is also covered in the podcast. Ep 5 | Memorials and Anniversaries - ABC Radio

By presenting real experiences, this podcast may help many people, impacted by the floods, realise they are not alone with their emotions.

Dial into After The Disaster More from After The Disaster - ABC Radio (More from After The Disaster - ABC Radio)

Please visit your GP who can give you a referral to personalised mental and emotional health support. 

In immediate crisis please contact:

• Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Lifeline text: 0477 131 114
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Vic Bianchetti Sportsgrounds Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Investigation of structural damage and rectify structural damage
• Reinstate entire clubhouse to include canteen and changerooms
• Irrigation and drainage improvements

• Note - flood level was 4m high -the entire building was inundated with flood water.

Project status;

Planning - structural investigation.

Stan Sercombe Oval Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Reinstate clubhouse and canteen
• Reinstate changerooms
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status;

Planning.

Barrie Smith Fields Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Reinstate clubhouse canteen
• Repair changerooms
• Reinstate field 2 lighting and relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status;

Planning – clubhouse and changeroom repairs.

Completed works - field 2 lighting. 

Knox Park Netball Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Repair netball courts
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status: 

Planning – netball court repairs.

Jim Devine Field Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Repair clubhouse
• Reinstate canteen
• Repair changerooms
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status:

Planning.

John Rabjones & Les Cave Oval Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Reinstate canteen
• Repair changerooms
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status:

Planning.

Bilambil Sports Complex West Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Replace doors

• Replace cabinetry
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status;

Planning.

Murwillumbah Tennis Courts Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Repair clubhouse
• Replace doors
• Reinstate storage and wet bar area.

• Note - electrical is already above flood levels.

Project status;

Planning.

Murwillumbah Community Centre

The flood refurbishment of the Murwillumbah Community Centre is due for completion on 19 May 2023 but with the progress being made by contractors, this date is likely to be brought forward. 

Council Flood Coordinator Charlotte Neilson said works are progressing well with contractors ahead of schedule with internal wall sheeting planned this week. 

The flood resilience measures for the centre include raising services above flood levels, epoxy flooring, stainless steel joinery and aluminium doors throughout the centre. 

Ms Neilson said the flood project team is working closely with the centre manager to ensure the centre is flood hardy so that minimal restoration work is required after any future floods. 

She said this was part of Council’s strategic plan to provide the community with reliable essential infrastructure while dealing with the challenge of climate change.  

Murwillumbah Community Centre Chairperson Barry Longland said it was a great relief to see the work on the Centre progressing so well. 

“In the year since the event, we have worked collaboratively with the Council, our insurers and the general community to address the difficult task of rebuilding,” Mr Longland said. 

“The rebuilding specifications have placed a high priority on ‘future proofing’ the Centre   against another event of this kind and I thank the Council for including the ideas of our staff in those specifications.” 

Knox Park Netball Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Repair clubhouse
• Repair netball courts
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status: 

Construction – clubhouse repairs estimated to be completed April 2023

Brian Breckenridge Field Restoration and Resilience Project

Funded by Sport Priority Needs Program, flood damage works to include;

• Reinstate canteen
• Repair changerooms
• Electrical - relocating electrical box higher to guard against risk of future flood.

Project status;

Construction with works estimate to be completed in April 2023.