Council pours millions into sewer pipe upgrades

A SEWER relining program has seen more than $2.5 million poured into vital wastewater infrastructure work as part of long-term investment by Lismore City Council.

Council identified key locations with upgrades made at Union Street, Bruxner Crescent, the Lismore Base Hospital precinct and Heritage Park.

The focus centred on fixing aging infrastructure, reducing the risk of public health incidents and minimising the need for reactive sewer maintenance.

The project saw more than five kilometres of sewer mains and 1.4 kilometres of laterals were upgraded.

In some areas, lateral pipes were lined using a resin-coated liner inserted and cured in place, while the larger reticulation mains were lined using a spiral wound method.

It involved mechanically winding a continuous PVC strip into the host pipe through existing manholes, forming a new pipe inside the old one.

Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said the works are a smart long-term investment in the city’s infrastructure.

“Relining means fewer blockages, fewer emergency callouts and less disruption for residents and businesses, plus it also protects our environment by reducing the risk of overflows,” he said.

“This is about doing the job once, being innovative in how we work and doing it properly, so our sewer network is safer, stronger and better for the next 50 years.”

“Underground projects like this are not flashy, not generally visible and not something the public really notice.”

Some areas in South Lismore required excavation work with a 5.5m dig beneath Norco.

Capital works project officer Joe Morrissey said relining has clear advantages over traditional maintenance practices.

“Tree roots are a major cause of blockages in our network,” he said.

“We normally use high-pressure water jetting every six months to clear them out, but this can damage old pipes, and the roots just grow back.

“Relining permanently seals the pipe and prevents roots from getting in. It’s a smarter, longer-lasting solution.”