We acknowledge the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal people, the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul people as Traditional Owners and custodians for parts of the Byron Shire.
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Byron waterways
The Brunswick River is the main river system in the Byron LGA with a number of smaller tributaries such as Lacks Creek and Marshalls Creek feeding into it which can contribute to significant flooding in certain areas.
Watch this video to find out more about how floods move through the Brunswick catchment.
What causes flooding in the Byron region?
The area is affected by both riverine and flash flooding which can cause devastating over floor flooding in some locations and road closures due to flash flooding across low lying roads and crossings.
The Brunswick River starts on the eastern slopes of Mount Jerusalem National Park near Uki and Upper Main Arm winding through steep hills and valleys. The river has a small steep catchment of 280km², flowing 34km to the mouth at Brunswick Heads. It rises 700m from the coast to the Burringbar and Koonyum Ranges on the catchment’s western and southern boundaries.
This landscape creates significant challenges during extreme rainfall. Flooding can quickly submerge low lying roads and bridges. In 2022, landslips significantly damaged properties and infrastructure in this region.
The river then flows through the floodplain, passing through Mullumbimby. Here Mullumbimby Creek, the major tributary, feeds into the Brunswick River. This river junction, combined with Mullumbimby’s flat terrain and shallow riverbank, makes it highly prone to flooding. In 2022, the Brunswick River reached 4.97m at Mullumbimby inundating large parts of the town and isolating surrounding properties.
Downstream from Mullumbimby, the river widens into an estuary at Brunswick Heads. The Brunswick estuary covers 2.9km² and has three primary arms – the Brunswick River, Marshalls Creek and Simpsons Creek.
Near Byron Bay are the catchments of Belongil Creek and Tallows Creek. Both are small intermittently closed and open lagoons with small local catchments.
At the estuary, flood can worsen as king tides and storms can push water back up the river. In 2022, low lying villages were cut off and critical roads such as the Pacific Highway were closed for days.
Intense rainfall in the Burringbar region can also lead to flash flooding in coastal creek catchments such as Mooball Creek, Cudgera Creek and Marshalls Creek.
Climate change is expected to bring heavier rainfall and higher sea levels, which will make flooding worse in the Bryon Shire.
Every flood is different. While NSW SES can provide guidance on what may occur in future floods, it's important to remember that predictions are not guarantees.
Byron communities
The Byron Shire includes the suburbs, townships and localities of Bangalow, Billinudgel, Binna Burra, Booyong (part), Broken Head (part), Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay, Clunes (part), Coopers Shoot, Coorabell, Eureka, Ewingsdale, Federal, Goonengerry, Hayters Hill, Huonbrook, Koonyum Range, Main Arm, McLeods Shoot, Middle Pocket, Montecollum, Mullumbimby, Mullumbimby Creek, Myocum, Nashua, New Brighton, Newrybar (part), Nightcap (part), Ocean Shores, Palmwoods, Possum Creek, Skinners Shoot, South Golden Beach, Suffolk Park, Talofa, The Pocket, Tyagarah, Upper Coopers Creek, Upper Main Arm, Upper Wilsons Creek, Wanganui, Whian Whian (part), Wilsons Creek, Wooyung (part) and Yelgun.
To find Community Resilience Networks in Byron Shire, and learn more about how these communities are responding to floods, email Byron Shire Council at council@byron.nsw.gov.au
Billinudgel and Ocean Shores
Located in the Brunswick Valley, a flash flood catchment, Billinudgel has experienced many major floods in 1987, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2017, and 2022 with the potential for even higher floods.
The area's complex flood behaviour is due to multiple creeks and waterways, including Yelgun Creek in Tweed Shire, as well as Lacks Creek and Marshalls Creek in Byron Shire. Lacks Creek flows through Middle Pocket, joining Marshalls Creek west of Billinudgel. It then flows through The Pocket and Billinudgel before joining the Brunswick River. Flooding can begin in Billinudgel at the western end of Wilfred Street, even below minor flood levels.
Downstream, the floodplain extends through Ocean Shores. Localised heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding and road closures, affecting a few low-lying streets such as Balemo Drive, Rajah Road, and the Water Lily Park area, with water backing up around the Ocean Shores Golf Course.
Mullumbimby
Mullumbimby, a town of around 4,000 people in the Brunswick Valley, Northern Rivers, NSW, is situated where the Brunswick River meets Mullumbimby Creek. Upstream, streams are confined to their channels, but downstream, extensive floodplains exist. Tidal influence can impact flood heights, with rising tides holding water back and causing levels to rise, while ebbing tides cause rapid falls. Flood height records have been kept since 1954, and the town has experienced several major floods throughout its history.