$1.5 million drainage upgrade to benefit local business and environmen

Published on 02 July 2020

Byron Shire Council is investing $1.5 million towards a drainage upgrade in the Byron Arts and Industry Estate, aimed at improving water management in the Belongil catchment while providing better access to the industrial area.

Spanning 2.3 kilometres, the project will also include the construction of a new shaded pathway, cycleway and 14-metre long pedestrian bridge.

Council has approved commencement of the tender process to construct the additional flow path, which includes the upgrading of existing public drainage land and construction of a small section of new pipeline.

Designed to align with the Byron Arts and Industry Precinct Plan, the upgraded drainage will offer an additional pathway for treated water from the Byron sewage treatment plant, which is currently routed west through farmland via the Union Drain before entering the Belongil Creek. 

Byron Shire Council Manager Utilities, Cameron Clark said the additional flow path will reduce the constant flows of treated water through the western Union Drain and reduce risk to soil and farmland.

“By balancing treated water and stormwater flows across the catchment through two pathways instead of one, we can better manage the quality of the water entering the Belongil catchment,” Mr Clark said.

The drainage upgrade will use water sensitive urban design landscaping, which uses strategically planted native flora and rocks to repurpose and control water flows. 

“Water sensitive landscaping will help slow the flows and further reduce nutrient concentrations before the water enters the Belongil Creek,” Mr Clark said.

The project will improve pedestrian and cycle movements within the Byron Arts and Industry Estate and provide new green areas for the community and local fauna.

The additional flow path extends from the Byron Bay Wetlands at the sewage treatment plant, diagonally south-east across the Byron Arts and Industry Estate and continues to Ewingsdale Road. It re-joins the existing drain at the southern end of Belongil Creek.

Further information is available to view on the additional flow path project page on the Your Say Byron Shire website at: www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au/additional-flow-path