Byron Bay drainage upgrade continues after March flooding

WORK on the Byron Bay drainage upgrade is continuing, after flash flooding hit the town centre as recently as March.

Heavy rain caused widespread flooding across the Byron Shire, with parts of Byron Bay inundated as construction continues on a major upgrade to the drainage network.

Byron Shire Council manager of assets and major projects Christopher Soulsby said the works were designed to reduce that type of flooding once complete.

“This is exactly the type of flooding that the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade is trying to minimise once all of the work is done and the drainage system is fully connected,” he said.

“Forty culverts have now been installed from the rail corridor into Jonson Street, seeing a solid increase in drainage capacity.”

Soulsby said recent work had also included decommissioning the Rotary clocktower, which will be rebuilt later this year, and completing watermain relocation.

“Over the last month contractors have also decommissioned the Rotary clocktower which will be reconstructed later this year. And watermain relocation has now been completed,” he said.

Contractors will pause work over the Easter long weekend before returning to site on Tuesday.

The South Lawson Street car park will reopen and pedestrian access near the laneway between Guzman Y Gomez and Byron Hot Bread Kitchen will be restored ahead of the holiday period.

Work will continue in April, with construction extending further south along Jonson Street to upgrade drainage and the eastern footpath.

“We hope everyone has a great Easter long weekend, and people hop down to the Byron Bay town centre businesses for great food, entertainment and shopping,” Soulsby said.