Farmers benefit under $5 million drainage investment into flood-damaged land

NORTHERN Rivers farmers are benefiting under jointly government funded $5 million drainage upgrade that has seen flood-damaged land and communities recover across the region.

The program, part of the $150 million Primary Industry Support Package in the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, targeted damaged drainage systems at 77 farm sites affected by the devastating 2022 floods.

Vegetation and sediment were cleared from key drainage outlets, restoring water flow across low-lying farmland and preventing pooling that can harm valuable crops.

The work supports recovery for Northern Rivers primary producers across the sugarcane, horticulture, rice, soybeans, beef and dairy industries.

Led by the NSW Reconstruction Authority in partnership with the NSW Soil Conservation Service, eligible sites were assessed and prioritised to ensure the greatest benefit for flood impacted communities.

The Ballina, Tweed and Rous County Council areas were part of the pilot program.

Wardell cane grower Gordon Lowrey had the drain on his property rebuilt to ensure water from a typical heavy fall is off the lowest part of his property within 12 hours.

“This $5 million investment is about giving our farmers the confidence to plant again,” NSW minister for recovery Janelle Saffin said.

“Seeing the results on properties like the Lowreys’ in Wardell proves that when we get the technical work right, the benefits ripple out across the entire region.

“I’m proud that we didn’t just ‘fix’ the problem and walk away.

“We have used this success to establish a permanent Drainage Reset Program, ensuring we now have a proven blueprint ready to protect our agricultural heart whenever disaster strikes.”

The state government established the new Drainage Reset Program to address drainage issues following Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Works are expected to commence in the coming months across affected local government areas.