Wilsons Creek flood repairs set to cause delays

MAJOR road and drainage works will begin this month in Wilsons Creek as part of long-awaited repairs from the 2022 floods.

Byron Shire Council said the restoration program would run until December and include embankment stabilisation, stormwater upgrades and road resealing.

Manager infrastructure recovery Phil Warner said the work would be welcomed by the community, but road users should expect delays.

“From June to December this year, we will be undertaking several projects to restore critical public infrastructure in the Wilsons Creek area following the 2022 floods,” he said.

“We will also do betterment works to eight kilometres of Wilsons Creek Road, which will include road pavement improvements, shoulder widening, drainage improvements, and embankment stabilisation.

“This is great news for the community of Wilsons Creek, who have been patiently waiting for more permanent repair work to happen over the past few years.”

Key projects include embankment repairs near 803 Wilsons Creek Road from June to September, and pavement works, stabilisation and safety barrier installation near 968 Wilsons Creek Road from July to September.

Fifty-five stormwater culverts under the pavement will also be replaced during that period.

From September to December, about eight kilometres of Wilsons Creek Road will be resealed and stabilised.

Three remaining minor landslip repairs are scheduled for 2026, with more projects planned for the Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook area in coming years.

“While our dedicated team delivers these works, we need everyone’s help to keep everyone safe,” Warner said.

“Our work sites are high-risk environments, and we ask that everyone follows signage and reduced speed limits, and they stay alert near work sites and avoid distractions.

“People should also be aware that completed work sites take time to settle, and that areas may still need to be line marked. It’s best to drive to conditions, not just speed limits,” he said.

The works are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, as well as the Infrastructure Betterment Fund through the Regional Road and Transport Recovery Program.