NSW Soil Conservation Service
Blocked drains, damaged drainage infrastructure and built-up sediment and vegetation can slow the movement of water away from low lying farmland. This can leave crops and productive land waterlogged for longer, damaging crops, limiting access and delaying recovery for farmers.
The $5 million Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program has now completed work at 77 priority sites across the Ballina, Clarence Valley and Tweed and the Rous County Council areas. Established following the 2022 Northern Rivers floods as a practical measure to clean, repair and improve priority agricultural drainage channels, completion marks the successful delivery of a coordinated, regional approach to infrastructure recovery.
The work was delivered in partnership with the NSW Soil Conservation Service and local councils.
The final piece
The last site completed was at Narho Creek in the Clarence Valley. During the 2022 floods, drainage infrastructure along the narrow waterway was badly damaged, reducing its ability to move water effectively. The site required significant repairs, including replacing damaged infrastructure, rebuilding the foundation and installing a new concrete slab to support a re-established pipeline.
Since the work was completed, reports provided following recent heavy rainfall indicate that water has moved through the system more efficiently, supporting improved drainage outcomes for nearby agricultural properties.
The completion of Narho Creek marks the end of the program’s physical delivery across the Northern Rivers.
“The completion of Narho Creek is an important milestone for everyone involved in delivering this program. Local knowledge, technical expertise and strong partnerships have helped restore drainage function at 77 priority sites across the Northern Rivers.”
-Thor Aaso, Northern Area Manager, SCS Soil Conservation Service Division, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
NSW Soil Conservation Service
Working together for stronger communities
The program was designed differently from traditional grant programs. Rather than asking councils to manage complex funding applications and delivery, the NSW Reconstruction Authority partnered with councils and the NSW Soil Conservation Service to identify, assess and prioritise sites, supporting a coordinated approach to delivery across the region.
- drainage reset work at 77 priority sites
- vegetation and sediment removal, outlet reinstatement and repairs to damaged drainage infrastructure
- coordinated delivered across the 4 participating council areas
- the approved package of work within the $5 million program allocation
- Building resilience for the future.
While no drainage system can prevent flooding during major events, maintaining these important drainage channels helps water move away more efficiently once floodwaters begin to recede.
For farmers this can support less damage to crops, earlier access to land and a faster return to agricultural activity following floods and heavy rainfall.
The success of the program has also helped inform future recovery efforts, with lessons from the Northern Rivers now being applied to agricultural drainage recovery following Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Read more about the Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program.