Hunter Valley Flood Resilience Strengthened

With the recent heavy rain across the state and additional rain expected in coming weeks, the NSW Government is continuing to prioritise the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme.

Urgent repairs to the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme at Maitland, Horseshoe Bend, Pitnacree and Brisbane Fields Road levees that began last year have been completed and permanent upgrades are now underway to reinforce the region’s flood resilience.

Tenders have been awarded for the permanent repairs at Brisbane Fields Road and Mannerys Road, with contractors engaged and preliminary works at both sites currently underway.

Planning for permanent flood repairs at Raymond Terrace, at the intersection of the Williams, Patterson and Hunter Rivers, along with other sites are also moving forward including detailed engineering and design solutions to address hydrological and structural issues.

These projects play a vital role in helping to maintain the schemes strength, so the Hunter Valley is in the best position to weather the next storm. The scheme consists of a system of 259 floodgates, 185 km of levees, 3.8 km of spillways, 165 km of drainage channels and 36 km of bank protection which all work together to reduce the risk to life and property by controlling the velocity, direction and depth of floodwaters.

For more information visit the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“This is great news for the more than 250,000 people across the Hunter Valley that rely on the scheme to reduce the impact of minor to moderate flooding on their homes and businesses. “The scheme has been a lifeline, remaining strong despite sustaining extensive damage while safeguarding the Hunter through five significant flood events between March 2021 and mid-2022.

“Now we’ve finished emergency repairs for all critical sites including the Maitland, Pitnacree and Brisbane Fields Road levees, we are shifting our focus to carrying out long-term repairs and ongoing maintenance which is a huge win for the community.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:

“Completing the urgent repairs is a major milestone and it is great to see the project gaining momentum, forging ahead with the permanent upgrades that will make the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme even stronger and safer.

“I have been advocating strongly for repairs to the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme which is why I invited Minister Jackson to Maitland recently. She listened to our local community and spoke firsthand with a number of our most flood-impacted residents. I am grateful for the care and concern, but most importantly, action she has taken to address these issues.

“Permanent repair works at Pitnacree are complete and remaining work at Horseshoe Bend is on track to be completed by the end of May. Permanent repairs at Brisbane Fields Road and Manerys Road are also on track to be completed by the end of the year.”