The CSIRO has released its catchment-scale virtual model of the Richmond, Tweed and parts of the Brunswick Rivers, which offers an unprecedented understanding of how floodwaters move through our catchment, and will be used to test future flood mitigation scenarios.
The first-of-its-kind model includes millions of data inputs of flood-relevant factors including topography, hydrology, evaporation, soil types and vegetation across the entire 30,000 square kilometres of the Northern Rivers region.
Over two years, state of the art aerial LiDAR technology, 3D laser scanning and high resolution sonar equipment were used to gather data from 16 measurement points per square metre to develop the hydrodynamic model, at a cost to the federal government of $11.4 million.
Senior principal research scientist Jai Vaze said, “There are a number of local area models built over past decades, but a full catchment model was needed to answer any real questions for flood mitigation.”
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said, “The release of the CSIRO’s flood modelling for the Richmond River catchment marks a pivotal moment for Lismore and the Northern Rivers.
“But this is not the end, it’s the beginning. The modelling is done. The need is urgent. Now we call on the Australian Government to fund the implementation of CSIRO’s forthcoming mitigation recommendations.
“Investing in our resilience is investing in the future of the Northern Rivers.”
His remarks were echoed by Federal member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who said, “Back-of-the-envelope estimates show that we need up to $2 billion to deliver engineering solutions that would take two metres off a flood.
“The 2022 disaster alone was a $15 billion event. Spending money on prevention saves taxpayer money on the recovery.”
The CSIRO will use the model to test and investigate further flood mitigation options for the Northern Rivers region, and deliver a report on this work to the National Emergency Management Agency in June 2026.
Residents will be able to provide input on the flood mitigation interventions through consultation sessions, both face to face and on line, to be held from August.
