Communications upgrade to improve flood resilience of water and sewer services

A NEW communications network is being rolled out across Byron Shire to improve the flood resilience of council water and sewer infrastructure.

The project, delivered by Byron Shire Council with support from the NSW Government, will upgrade communications links between water treatment plants, reservoirs and sewer facilities across the shire.

The wireless data network is designed to maintain control of essential services during floods, after communications links were disrupted during the 2022 disaster.

Director infrastructure services Phillip Holloway said the upgrade would strengthen the reliability of water and sewer operations during extreme weather events.

“The upgrade boosts the flood resilience of water and sewer service communication and control links, which were disrupted during the 2022 floods,” Mr Holloway said.

“This upgrade delivers the robust and reliable communications needed to keep our water and sewer services safe and functional, providing clean water and protecting our waterways.”

New communications poles will be installed at five council sites, including Ocean Shores and Brunswick Valley sewage treatment plants, Bangalow Reservoir and the Hayters Hill radio repeater site.

The 30-metre tapered steel poles will carry low-powered antennas that provide line-of-sight wireless links between facilities.

Council said the poles are not designed for mobile phone networks and cannot be used for mobile telephone antennas.

The upgraded network will connect water and sewer assets across Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay.

Preliminary surveying and ground testing began in 2025, with construction starting this year and expected to be completed by mid-year.

Motorists can expect changed traffic conditions on Bangalow Road at Hayters Hill between February 9 and March 25 while work is carried out beside the roadway.

During the works, sections of Bangalow Road will be reduced to one lane under stop-slow conditions, with full closures scheduled on February 10 and March 25 between St Helena Road and Coopers Shoot Road.

Council said detours will be in place via Coopers Shoot Road during full closures.

The project is funded through the Northern Rivers Water and Wastewater Repair and Recovery Program, with council responsible for the poles and antennas and NSW Public Works delivering installation works.