Flood recovery
Between March 2021 and July 2022, the Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Area experienced four major flood events, including a 1-in-100-year flood in March 2021. These disasters caused widespread damage across the region, with over 1,000 locations affected, some repeatedly, across multiple events. Council has worked extensively to secure State and Federal Government funding to restore the region to its pre-flood condition, with 98% of damaged locations from these events now repaired.
A further significant flood was experienced in May 2025, with over 250 additional locations now requiring repair. Council is working with NSW Reconstruction Authority to secure funding for these essential reconstruction works.
Embankment repairs
The most significant damage in our region in 2021 and 2022 was as a result of landslips. We recorded over 100 slips impacting our road network. All major slips resulting from these earlier events have now been addressed, with only 5 minor slips remaining.
Council is now working to schedule the repair of an additional 28 minor slips across the region as a result of the May 2025 flood, while we continue to seek endorsement and funding for seven major slips resulting from this event.
Sealed road repairs
We are currently scheduling numerous heavy patching and table drain repairs on sealed roads across the LGA. We are also advocating for support and funding of road reconstruction projects for some of the region's most flood-affected roads.
Unsealed road repairs
We are currently scheduling gravel resheeting and patching works on 33 unsealed roads across the LGA. We will also be undertaking table drain repairs and clearing culverts on these and other roads affected by the May 2025 flood event.
Bridge repairs
Significant damage was sustained to numerous bridges across the LGA in the March 2021 event. While most of these repairs have been completed, we are currently working on the repair/replacement of the following bridges:
Kindee Bridge
Please refer to our Kindee Bridge Closure webpage for more information on the current bridge status.
Funding has been obtained from TfNSW through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to address flood damage at Kindee Bridge. Council is undertaking these works in conjunction with planned maintenance work at the bridge, with a contractor now engaged to complete the design and construction works. Further information will be provided as the project progresses.
Stoney Creek Bridge
Stoney Creek Bridge was destroyed by the March 2021 flood event and a temporary bridge was installed to ensure public safety and reinstate access. Council has obtained funding for the design and reconstruction of the bridge, a project which is currently in the design phase. Further information on the construction of a permanent bridge will be provided as the project progresses.
The following images show the damage sustained at Stoney Creek Bridge during the March 2021 flood event and the emergency works completed to reinstate access.
Council is currently seeking support and funding for repairs required to additional bridges following the May 2025 flood.
Rainbow Beach Viewing Platform and Revetment Sandbagging
Funding for embankment remediation works at Rainbow Beach Bonny Hills has been secured through the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program, which is jointly supported by the Australian Government (Commonwealth) and the NSW Government through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). This component of the project will address damage resulting from the severe storm and flood events experienced in February and March 2021, including targeted stormwater management and sandbagging activities.
Additional funding has been provided through the Local Government Recovery Grants Program, also jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. These works enable the replacement of the Rainbow Beach viewing platform. This stage of work involves reconstructing the platform and adjoining stairways to rectify deterioration caused by the significant weather and flooding events commencing in June 2022.
Council is overseeing the delivery of these projects, with a contractor appointed to undertake the detailed design and construction phases. Completion of all works is anticipated by the end of May 2026.