Flood mitigation work at Suffolk Park

WORK has begun to reduce flooding risks at Suffolk Park’s Coogera Circuit Detention Basin.

Byron Shire Council is upgrading the site, located off Bottlebrush Crescent, to help mitigate additional flooding risks to nearby homes and properties.

The project includes raising the basin wall, improving stormwater drainage, demolishing old stormwater infrastructure, and completing bollards and landscaping.

Byron Shire Council project engineer Tom Coulthurst said the upgrade would significantly reduce flooding risks for more than 100 properties in the area.

“Once complete, over 100 properties in the Suffolk Park area will benefit from a reduced risk of flooding,” Coulthurst said.

“While we can’t eliminate the risk of flooding altogether, we know this upgrade is very welcomed.

“The response from the community and assistance they have provided Council so that we can implement the flood improvement works has been greatly appreciated.

“We hope to have it finished by the end of this year, weather permitting, but any remaining work will be completed in early January, following the Christmas and New Year period,” he said.

The $620,000 project was funded by the Australian Government through the Emergency Response Fund administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Byron Shire Council.

Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said she knew how important it was to reduce flooding risks for communities across the North Coast.

“I’m proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government, delivering this important funding to improve disaster recovery and flooding mitigation in the Byron Shire,” Elliot said.

Temporary traffic control will reduce the road to one-lane traffic with access to residential properties provided.

Moderate construction noise and vibration at times are expected during work hours of 7 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, and 7 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.