Much-needed Yamba Road upgrade at Palmers Channel NSW to get underway

To improve long-term flood immunity and boost resilience of vital infrastructure, the Australian and New South Wales Governments are providing Clarence Valley Council with funding to upgrade Yamba Road at Palmers Channel. 

The $9.98 million project will be delivered through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package (RRTRP) that’s jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). 

The upgrade is expected to be completed in May 2026.

“Securing this funding marks a significant step forward in improving Yamba Road’s resilience to flooding. 

“It’s fantastic to see us pushing forward with the Yamba Road and Palmers Channel Southbank Road intersection upgrade, it is such a critical project for our area. 

“The upgrade is a key component of the Yamba Road Flood Resilience Strategic Plan, aimed at improving long-term flood immunity and strengthening the resilience of vital infrastructure,” Clarence Valley Mayor Ray Smith said. 

Yamba Road is the main access to the Pacific Motorway near Maclean, and this upgrade is a key component of the Yamba Road Flood Resilience Strategic Plan that aims to improve long-term flood immunity and make vital infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters. 

During the severe flooding in February and March 2022, local businesses were either almost or completely out of supplies when Yamba Road was closed for seven days. 

Local authorities have been calling for improvements to Yamba Road’s flood immunity to ensure its sustainability for local economies during and after severe weather events. 

“The whole nation witnessed the flooding across the Northern Rivers region of NSW in 2022 and, in its aftermath, it was evident more needed to be done to ensure communities were better able to recover from similar events in future. 

“The Albanese Government is proud to be part of the first stage of the Yamba Road upgrade, which will help reduce the impacts on the local community during and after floods,” Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said. 

“Ensuring Yamba Road recovers more quickly from inundation, is vital for Yamba and surrounding communities to stay connected. 

“We are building back better and creating more resilient communities for the future,” Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said. 

Clarence Valley Council is looking forward to getting works started on the upgrade in the coming months. The project will include the removal of a low spot in the road that causes it to be closed even during minor flooding events. 

The upgrade will lift the level of Yamba Road by about one metre at Palmers Channel South Bank Road, which will help reduce the frequency and duration of flood-related road closures. 

“Clarence Valley Council provided clear reasoning for the improvement of Yamba Road, to reduce impact to SES and other agencies, so road access is maintained, and they can continue to respond to calls for help during emergencies. 

“By raising the road embankment and providing widened and sealed shoulders, the road will be more resilient to water damage and will recover more quickly from future flooding,” NSW Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW