FAQs

When we experience a natural disaster such as a flood event, which causes significant damage to our infrastructure, there are a number of steps that Council has to go through, like an insurance claim process. Council identifies, assesses and then makes a claim for the damage from the appropriate funding body. As we do not have the money to pay for these kind of extraordinary events from our day to day budgets. There are strict rules regarding documentation.

There are multiple steps in this process including design investigation, final design, approval, scheduling of work crews and/or engagement of contractors so there can be a long lag time from the actual event to the rectification works being started and completed. The table below shows further details and indicative timings for the steps in this process: (All timings are subject to weather, contractor and material availability)

At present, Council are working to repair damages sustained to 90% of our 1200km road network. 

There are specific engineering tasks required for some of the more complex damaged sites, such as landslides, which will take time. Some sites may see temporary measures such as side-track access, temporary pothole repair and gravel roads before permanent construction works at these locations commence.

Planning will continue to ensure works are undertaken as quickly as possible. Priorities are based on public safety with consideration of further damage, maintaining access and links between communities, hierarchy of roads and efficiency of results.

Assessments are completed and updated regularly. However, you can assist by Reporting a road hazard or pothole

Check in regularly to this page, and Lismore City Council's Facebook page to stay up to date with recent notification of works.

Works are prioritised based on public safety with consideration of further damage, maintaining access and links between communities, hierarchy of roads and efficiency of results. 

Further to this, funding is a major contributing factor. Council identifies, assesses and then makes a claim for the damage from the appropriate funding body. Council does not have the money to pay for these kind of extraordinary events from our day to day budgets. 

For example, works will apply only to sections of a road that have been identified as significantly impacted by the February 2022 natural disaster. This is based on pre and post disaster assessments. Funding is secured through a specific 'bucket' dedicated to repairing flood damage. This funding is then allocated to repair damage sustained during the February 2022 natural disaster only.

Did you know is costs on average $1.37million to reconstruct and $72,000 to resurface just 1km of road? To find out more, view the 'Factsheets' tab on the main page.

What causes a pothole? 

Heavy traffic or natural ageing causes cracks in the pavement. Rainwater seeps through these cracks into the base material beneath. The vibration of traffic causes the wet base material to settle or shift, forming a cavity. With nothing under it for support, the pavement will weaken further and ultimately cave in. 

Since the February 2022 natural disaster, we had an extended period of wet weather, which has significantly affected our road network. It rained three out of four days between November 2021 and April 2022. The additional rainfall in this region being a contributing factor to the ongoing damages to our roads.

Quick Facts:

Lismore has 1200km of road network. Compared to Ballina (667km), Byron Bay (605km) and Richmond Valley (1064km).

Council repairs on average 25,000 potholes annually (70 a day on average)

To read more on how we repair potholes, take a look at our 'Factsheets' tab on the main page.

The high visibility LED lights on each unit increase motorist visibility from long and short-range, giving drivers more time to slow down and stop. With a number of projects occurring in our LGA, portable traffic lights have been implemented to provide a much safer and cost-effective way of handling work zone traffic control.

The current portable traffic lights in place have been programmed to factor in road condition, machinery and plant movements and traffic volumes. As works progress at each project site, the programming is reviewed and amended to suit conditions.