ROSE JACKSON
MINISTER FOR WATER

MEDIA RELEASE - CRITICAL MORPETH LEVEE REPAIRS COMPLETE

The Minns Labor Government has completed significant levee repair works to help safeguard Morpeth and the surrounding community from flooding.

Crews have now fully rebuilt a section of the Morpeth Levee, part of the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme, after major flooding significantly eroded the infrastructure in 2021-2022.

The site is now stronger than ever thanks to funding from the NSW Government to carry out emergency repairs and permanent restoration works to the damaged sections of the Scheme.

The complex restoration involved using multiple barges along the Hunter River carrying 48-tonne long-reach excavators to place more than 25,000 tonnes of rock along a 280-metre stretch of riverbank.

Crews used innovative technology to position larger rocks sized 60cm-1 metre underwater to strengthen the levee’s foundation, and place smaller rocks sized 40-70cm along the upper embankment to reinforce the integrity of the levee.

With the permanent repairs now complete, Maitland City Council can reopen Brisbane Fields Road without the load limit restrictions that have been in place since emergency stabilisation works were first carried out.

Morpeth Levee is one of 14 Scheme locations damaged due to previous flooding, and the NSW Government is continuing repair works on these sites.

To read more on the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme, visit: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/floodplain-management/hunter-valley-mitigation-scheme

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“The Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme is a lifeline for local communities, safeguarding more than 250,000 people and their properties from flooding events.

“We know this region is flood-prone and the Scheme’s network of levees, floodgates and spillways gives the community confidence that they can weather the next storm.

“That’s why we committed to repairing this infrastructure and investing in its upkeep, with teams onsite six days a week to fix the damage and place more than 25,000 tonnes of rock onto the levee.”

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:

“It’s fantastic to see this significant reconstruction project finalised, where it will continue to keep thousands of residents, properties and infrastructure safe.

“These repairs also mean that load limit restrictions can be lifted and local drivers can feel confident that Brisbane Fields Road is flood-protected, stable and safe.

“For years, this is something I have been advocating for and it has taken a Minns Labor Government to deliver it.”