Council takes first step in upgrade of Byron Bay drainage system

Byron Shire Council has started working with consultants to design upgrades to Byron Bay’s drainage system as part of the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade Project.

Byron Bay has a history of flooding during heavy rain, and this affects businesses and residents and is further compounded by the low terrain, ocean levels, Belongil Creek and the Belongil Creek floodplain.

Phil Holloway, Director Infrastructure Services, said Council has received grant funding for the design phase of the project.

“The design phase alone is costing approximately $1.2 million. We have received grant funding of just over $1 million from the Federal Government through the Preparing Australian Communities Grant, and Council is contributing $200,000 to the project,” Mr Holloway said. “It will be a long project that will be done in stages; data collection, strategy review and a detailed ground survey have already been completed. We are now completing the concept design and hope to have the detailed design completed by mid-next year,” he said.

The project will inform Council as to how to best prioritise drainage upgrades that target existing deficiencies in the drainage systems. The concept design will be provided to Council for adoption once completed.

The upgrade to drainage is estimated to cost more than $20 million and will require more grant funding, it is hoped that completion of this project will assist Council in applying for and securing this funding.