Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has welcomed the approval of a $6.9 million grant to enable Rous County Council to undertake repairs and improve the stability and future resilience of the Bungawalbin Levee in the lower Richmond Valley.
Mr Williamson has been advocating very strongly for funding support to enable remediation works to be carried out to the damaged levee and is pleased that funding – under the State and Commonwealth Government’s Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program (NDRA) – has finally been approved.
“The levee is an important piece of infrastructure that provides a level of protection for a number of properties along the eastern side of the Bungawalbin Creek, as well as providing evacuation routes for residents in surrounding areas and protection for a lot of farming land,” Mr Williamson said.
“Consecutive flood events over the past few years have understandably taken their toll on the levee, causing it to destabilise and making it more vulnerable to further breaches in major flood events.
“I know Rous County Council has been trying to secure funding for some time now after an independent assessment of the levee, and I’m pleased the state and federal governments have come to the party with the funding required to get on with the job.
“It’s vitally important that we improve the long-term resilience of flood mitigation infrastructure that provides protection to local communities like the mid-Richmond.”
Federal Nationals Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, has also welcomed the funding.
“I have advocated strongly for the levee repairs, so it is great to secure the funds under the Commonwealth Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.” Mr Hogan said.
“Flood mitigation that reduces the height of future floods is the only strategy that will give our region a sustainable future and safety.”
“The path ahead for the broader Northern Rivers region must include a public commitment to flood mitigation. If the community knows a metre or more will be taken off future flood events, they will invest and live in confidence.”
