High-tech overhaul to replace Lismore’s tractor-driven flood pump

WORK is set to begin on a major upgrade of Lismore’s flood mitigation network, with the Magellan Street pump station to be modernised to improve the city’s resilience during future disasters.

Two submersible flood pumps will be installed at a critical section of the flood defence system, replacing stormwater removal units previously powered by tractors in the CBD.

The new remotely operated pumps form part of a $29.8 million investment in Lismore’s flood pump station network.

It falls under the $150 million Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and funded by the federal government.

Lismore City Council, which is delivering the project, completed an upgrade of the nearby Gasworks Creek flood pump station late last year.

It will now replace the ageing tractor-driven flood pump at the Magellan Street site with a high-tech system, marking a significant shift away from the manual setup that has been in place since the early 2000s.

The existing system requires operators to physically position a tractor against the levee during heavy rainfall to activate the pump.

During major events, workers have had to remain onsite in hazardous conditions to keep floodwaters at bay.

“The modernisation of the Magellan Street station is a gamechanger for how council and the community respond in future flood events,” Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said.

“For too long, our community has watched brave operators head out in tractors during dangerous conditions to keep the pumps running. This investment changes that.

“We are building back better in the heart of our city to ensure our businesses, workers, and families are backed by a modern system that works when it matters most.”

A larger pump well will be created to improve water management at the facility, while station electricals will be raised above the 2022 flood height of 14.4-metres.

When complete, both pump stations will be remotely controllable, following the recent rollout of a new fibre optic network linking all of Lismore’s pump stations.

Mayor Steve Krieg said the changes would transform how the city responds to flooding.

“Upgrading Magellan Street pump station is a critical step in strengthening Lismore’s flood resilience,” he said.

“For the community, this project is really about confidence. It’s about knowing we’re investing in smarter infrastructure that helps protect key areas of the city during severe weather events.

The work is expected to be finished by September.