Work underway to minimise flooding at Suffolk Park

Published on 25 November 2024

Byron Shire Council has begun work on upgrading the Coogera Circuit Detention Basin at Suffolk Park. The basin, located off Bottlebrush Crescent, regularly overflows in larger rainfall events, contributing to the flooding of nearby homes and properties. 

Byron Shire Council Project Engineer, Tom Coulthurst, said that the upgrade will significantly reduce the risk of flooding to properties near the basin. 

“We will be increasing the capacity of the detention basin by raising the height of some of the basin wall, and, by constructing a basin spillway that connects to the stormwater drainage. Once complete over 100 properties in the Suffolk Park area will benefit from a reduced risk of flooding. While we can’t eliminate the risk of flooding all together, we know this upgrade is very welcomed by the Suffolk Park community,” said Mr Coulthurst. 

“We have been in touch with Suffolk Park residents and businesses over the past six months regarding these planned works. The response from the community and assistance they have provided Council, so that we can implement the flood improvement works, has been greatly appreciated. 

“People should expect some minor traffic delays on and near Bottlebrush Crescent, while construction is underway. 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. 

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

“The upgrade to the Coogera Circuit Detention Basin in Suffolk Park will reduce flooding risk for local properties by expanding the capacity of the basin during rain events.

“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.”

For more information about Coogera Circuit Detention Basin Upgrade, please visit Council’s website. 

The project has been primarily funded by the Australian Government through the Emergency Response Fund administered by NSW Reconstruction Authority’s NRRRP 2022-23 ($550,000), with funding also from Byron Shire Council ($70,000).  

The NRRRP provides $150 million to deliver flood mitigation and resilience projects across the Northern Rivers’ region, which was devastated by flooding in February and March of 2022. The aim of the NRRRP is to drive long-term resilience and ensure communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from future disasters.