newy.com.au – Wallsend’s long-running push for stronger flood protection has taken a major step forward, with the Federal and State governments backing a significant upgrade of the Ironbark Creek stormwater channel through the suburb’s CBD.
The project will involve works along 660 metres of the channel, including widening, new floodwalls and naturalisation aimed at reducing flood impacts while improving the creek environment. Hunter Water will deliver the upgrade under a formal direction from the NSW Government, as part of a coordinated response involving federal, state and local government.
The work will complement the City of Newcastle’s bridge upgrade program over Ironbark Creek, with the projects intended to align flood mitigation across the Wallsend CBD and improve protection for one of Newcastle’s most flood-prone areas.
The channel widening has been sought for years by residents and businesses affected by flooding, particularly since the 2007 Pasha Bulker storm, when homes and businesses were inundated and parts of the CBD were cut off. The design is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding, with a focus on high-risk areas during more frequent storm events.
Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt said the Australian Government was providing $10 million for the project.
“We’re backing Hunter Water with a $10 million investment to help transform Wallsend’s Ironbark Creek from a concrete stormwater channel into a naturalised urban waterway, while providing crucial flood mitigation for Wallsend,” Senator Watt said.
He said the project would connect the creek with restored riparian corridors and improve water quality downstream into the Hunter Estuary Wetlands.
NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson said the project responded to long-standing community concern.
“People in Wallsend know all too well the stress and disruption flooding can cause and they have been calling for practical action for a long time. This forward-thinking infrastructure investment is about listening to those concerns and getting on with work that will make a real difference,” Ms Jackson said.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the project was a major step towards making Wallsend safer and more resilient.
“Nearly two decades on from the Pasha Bulker storm, too many residents still live with the threat of flooding whenever heavy rain hits,” Ms Claydon said.
“This project will help protect homes and businesses, improve flood resilience, and deliver a healthier Ironbark Creek for generations to come.”
Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said she had advocated for major flood mitigation works in the suburb since 2007.
“Our community has lived with the risk and reality of flooding for far too long. This project is about giving people greater confidence that their homes, businesses and livelihoods will be better protected in the future,” Ms Hornery said.
Hunter Water Managing Director Jennifer Hayes said the channel works were being designed to fit with the City of Newcastle’s bridge upgrades.
“Widening Ironbark Creek is being carefully designed to complement the City of Newcastle’s bridge upgrade program, because it’s only by aligning these investments that we can meaningfully reduce flood risk in the Wallsend CBD,” Ms Hayes said.
Hunter Water will now begin a six-month intensive design phase, including engagement with landholders and the wider community. Construction is expected to start in early to mid-2027.
