PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT - Update on Construction

Dear residents,

The water supply to Nimbin town is from Mulgum Creek, where water is drawn from a weir at the top of Gungas Road. This water is chlorinated and delivered by gravity to the DE Williams Dam. The water is stored in the dam, re-chlorinated and pumped to the Nimbin Reservoir to provide water for the residents of Nimbin town as required.

The supply pipeline from the weir was severely damaged during the February and March 2022 flood event. This resulted in approximately 4km of pipeline and road being destroyed, negatively impacting the supply to DE Williams Dam. The damaged pipeline directly supplied approximately 80 properties between Nimbin Weir and DE William Dam.

The immediate works which were put in place as a temporary measure to quicken constructability and secure water supply post flood event, will now be replaced with a permanent solution, that being 200mm diameter pipe to ensure hydraulic capacity is maintained.

When will works begin?

The project has commenced. However, a construction start date has now been delayed until Q1-2023 for the following reasons.

  1. Under-bore pipelines are not viable at Sheather's Bridge
    1. Further assessments have shown the permanent pipeline is better suited to be attached to the bridge structure. Therefore, extending the design process as options are revisited.
  1. Contractor availabilities for investigation works
    1. Current market conditions are saturated with works due to flood effects
    2. Contractors being unavailable to meet site investigation requirements, causing delays to subsequent works required.
  1. Contractor availabilities to undertake the works
    1. Current market conditions are saturated with works due to flood effects
    2. EOI's have been extended to general market as sufficient local contractors have declined to provide prices, worth note Council has had positive feedback positive feedback for capacity from interstate contractors in Q1 next year.
  1. Scope of works extended to allow for telecommunications pits & conduits to facilitate fibre optic for future data transportations from and to Nimbin Weir.
  1. Revision of temporary crossings due to a temporary crossing failing after significant rain event

Will the water supply be affected?

No water disruptions are anticipated from this project, as this pipeline supplies the DE Williams Dam. The DE Williams Dam and High Street Reservoir have ample water supply available.

Current water restrictions and boiled water alerts for Nimbin are still in place and are the result of elevated turbidity levels due to ongoing and historical weather events. Further information on when these restrictions will be eased, will be shared via direct notifications and on the relevant Your Say pages.

Where can I find further information?

Further information and updates will be available via Your Say, Nimbin Water Supply – Pipeline Replacement Project: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/nimbin-water-supply

Residents are encouraged to sign up for direct notifications. Please visit: https://lismore-water-operations-public-domain.app.oneblink.io/forms/9621

Additionally, to receive updates directly please contact Lismore City Council via email council@lismore.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 6625 0500 to register your details and feedback. Please reference ‘Nimbin Pipeline Replacement AF22/2514’ in your correspondence.

Council appreciates the patience and resilience of this community as we continue to finalise these works.

Thank you.

Rebecca Sproule

Community Engagement

7 November 2022

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