We're improving the water security of Mullumbimby with the extension of the emergency water main connecting the town to the regional water network operated by Rous County Council.
Following the 2002 to 2003 drought, Council built an emergency water main connecting Mullumbimby to the regional water network operated by Rous County Council. It can supply about half the town in situations where the regular water supply from Lavertys Gap weir is disrupted.
The emergency water main is being extended with a pipeline from Tandys Lane to the Azalea Street Reservoir. This will allow the emergency connection to support the whole town of Mullumbimby if the regular supply is interrupted.
The project will involve installing new pipes through Mullumbimby and there may be impacts on driveway access and traffic movements at certain times.
Work being done
Work began in November 2024 with pipelaying in east Mullumbimby during December, January and February.
Work west of Station Street and on Tandys Lane will continue until mid-2025.
Work includes:
- A new water main within the Tandys Lane road reserve between the Pacific Motorway and Gulgan Road.
- A new water main running along road reserves from Mullumbimby Road/Argyle Street to King Street, Ann Street, Station Street, Fern Street, Myokum Street, Jubilee Street and Azalea Street to the Azalea Street reservoir.
- Installing of a booster pump station and bypass at the Azalea Street reservoir site.
- Minor water main upgrades at the intersection of Left Bank Road and Tristran Parade.
Remediation
Roads, driveways and verges will receive temporary resurfacing after work is done, followed by permanent restoration after final testing of the new pipeline in mid-2025. This approach ensures that any issues identified in testing will not require digging up restored surfaces.
For verges in road reserves:
- Compacted gravel areas will be filled with gravel and recompacted.
- In grassed areas, the contractor will compact soil and spread topsoil and grass seed on the work area. Seeded areas will be roped off for three weeks. Residents are asked not to disturb roped off areas to allow growth of grass.
For driveways:
- Compacted gravel driveways will be restored as work is completed in the street. Driveways that were asphalt or concrete prior to the work will have temporary remediation with hot mix asphalt and/or gravel to ensure they are usable. The driveways will be resurfaced with asphalt/concrete after final pipeline testing.
For roads:
- Where road surfaces were cut to install pipes, hot mix asphalt will be used for temporary resurfacing to ensure the road is safe and usable. Roads will be resurfaced in line with their original state after final pipeline testing in mid-2025.
If any subsidence occurs after remediation work is done, please notify Council’s Utilities Team by phoning 02 6626 7000 or emailing council@byron.nsw.gov.au.
Emergency water main extension route
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Traffic controls and road closures
Construction working hours will be limited to:
- 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday
- 8am to 1pm Saturdays
- No works will be undertaken on Sundays and public holidays.
Work may occur outside these hours when necessary.
| Work location & traffic controls |
Approximate date & duration |
- Tandys Lane – Slow-stop traffic controls between Gulgan Road and Pacific Motorway (M1) to allow pipelaying work.
|
Week starting 12 May for approx. three weeks. |
|
|
Week starting 2 June for approx. two days. |
- Azalea Street - Slow-stop traffic controls in place
|
Week starting 2 June for approx. one week |
|
|
Week starting 12 May for approx. four weeks. |
- Left Bank Rd & Tristran Pde - Traffic controls and reduced speeds at intersection of Left Bank Rd and Tristran Parade, Mullumbimby Creek
|
Week starting 9 Jun for approx. one week |
| Station Street car park - South driveway closed Tuesday and Wednesday |
Tues and Wed, 3 and 4 June |
- Station Street car park - underboring work to take pipeline underground between Prince Street and Station Street.
|
Date to be advised |
Funding
This $6 million project is delivered in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and NSW Public Works, with funding from the $145 million Northern Rivers Water and Wastewater Repair and Recovery Program.
