The recent flooding event in February 2022 impacted and destroyed the Lismore sewerage plant and this has reduced operating capacity. The plant has not been repaired and about 4 MILLION LITRES (four megalitres) of UNTREATED SEWAGE  is being released EACH DAY into the Wilsons River, which flows into the Richmond River and into the ocean.

Raw sewage is a toxic biohazard and contains harmful bacteria including fecal coliform and E. coli, viruses and other toxic substances including chemicals and poisons.

This is having a significant impact on not only our water quality, but the environment, coastal ecosystems and the health & wellbeing of animals, as well as residents & tourists of the Northern Rivers. This toxic exposure is creating ill health effects such as respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The last test from Ballina council and Byron council on the 26th May still shows our beaches are polluted and unsafe for swimming due to the high amount of enterococci bacteria. The testing does not include chemicals and other pollutants.

This is a request to the State Government and Lismore council to take action and have Lismore sewerage plant repaired ASAP to avoid further contamination and bring back our clean waters.