We acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung - Moobah clans as the Traditional Custodians of the Tweed area.
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Tweed waterways
The main tributaries of the Tweed River system are the Oxley and Rous Rivers, and the Cobaki and Terranora Broadwaters.
There’s also a separate system of coastal creeks in communities and coastal villages like Burringbar, Mooball, Crabbes Creek, Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach/Bogangar, Hastings Point, and Pottsville.
Levees have been constructed to protect the main townships of Murwillumbah (including South Murwillumbah) and South Tweed from frequent flooding. Other flood mitigation measures including flood pumps, flood gates, backwater devices, and the construction of drainage systems have also been undertaken within the catchment.
Find out more about how levees work at Levees.
What causes flooding in the Tweed Shire?
Watch this video to find out more about how floods move through the Tweed River catchment and its communities.
The Tweed Valley is dominated by the Wollumbin / Mount Warning caldera. The Caldera funnels rainfall in the upper catchment into the three main river systems - Oxley River, Rous River and the Tweed River.
The 2022 flood was the most devastating in living history, but significant flooding has also occurred in 1954, 1974, and 2017.
The Tweed Coast is regularly impacted by severe weather such as low-pressure systems, cyclones or ex-tropical cyclones causing either minor nuisance flooding or up to moderate or major flood events.
Riverine flooding is the main cause of flooding across the floodplain and at the mouth of the catchment. Water can be held up from escaping the river mouth when peak floods coincide with high tides and storm surges. These tidal effects have been experienced approx. 30km upstream of the Tweed River in Murwillumbah. Flash flooding and overflow from stormwater drains also contribute to flooding in the area.
Climate change is expected to bring heavier rainfall and higher sea levels, which will make flooding worse in the Tweed Valley. 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.
Flood height at North Murwillumbah Gauge (AHD).
What is AHD? Australian Height Datum (AHD) is a standard reference level used to measure water heights in Australia. 0.0m AHD is mean sea level.
Tweed communities
The Tweed Shire Local Government Area (LGA) includes the city of Tweed Heads, the riverside towns of Banora Point, Chinderah, Fingal Head, Tumbulgum, Condong and Murwillumbah and the rural villages of Kunghur, Uki, Tyalgum, Chillingham, Bilambil and Kingscliff.
To find Community Resilience Networks in Tweed Shire, and learn more about how these communities are responding to floods, email Tweed Shire Council at tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au.
Chinderah
Chinderah has a long history of flooding. Significant flooding occurred in 1954, 1974 and 2017. The 2022 flood was a ‘flood of record’ which caused major disruptions and damage to homes and businesses.
Flooding is a certainty in Chinderah. It’s mostly impacted when peak river flood levels coincide with high tides or storm surges. The water can't escape to the sea, becomes trapped and makes flooding worse. Most of Chinderah’s caravan parks are on low ground next to the Tweed River. In heavy rain, the low-lying roads that are the main exit routes from Chinderah can be cut by flood water and prevent access to the M1. If flooding is predicted, the safest option is always to leave the area early.
Image description: Chinderah in flood. Photo: Tweed Shire Council.
Fingal Head
Fingal Head is a sandy peninsula located between the Pacific Ocean and the Tweed River. It has a history of flooding. While the centre of the village sits on higher ground, the northern Letitia Spit area is more prone to flooding. The only road access to the community is via Fingal Road from the south.
Fingal Head is mainly impacted by riverine flooding. When peak flood levels happen at the same time as high tides or storm surges, the water cannot flow out through the river mouth, making flooding worse. Flash flooding can also impact parts of the community.
In a Major Flood, low-lying parts of Fingal Head can become isolated. Many single-storey homes may experience flooding inside, and some residents and businesses will need to evacuate early to avoid being isolated. Waiting until floodwaters reach critical levels on roads may make it too late to leave safely.
Image Description: Tweed River in flood at Fingal Head. Photo: Tweed Shire Council.
Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah
Murwillumbah and its surrounds have a long history of regular flooding. Major flood events occurred in 1954 (before the levee was built) 1974, 1989, 2001, 2008, 2017 and 2022. The 2022 flood was a ‘flood of record’, with many Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah homes and businesses experiencing over-floor flooding.
In the CBD flooding happens in two main ways: stormwater backs up in Knox Park and pools in the CBD basin, and floodwater rises over the CBD levee.
A levee was built in South Murwillumbah to protect homes and businesses during most floods. However, during major floods it can still spill over - known as overtopping. When the levee overtops, water flows through South Murwillumbah from Greenhills, and through the industrial estates to Condong. This can cause significant damage to the industrial areas.
In a major flood, low-lying areas of Murwillumbah will become isolated, and some properties may experience flooding inside (over floor flooding). Some residents and businesses will need to evacuate early to avoid being isolated. Waiting until floodwaters reach critical levels on roads may make it too late to leave safely.
Image Description: Murwillumbah in flood. Photo: Tweed Shire Council.
Image description: Flooding at Wharf Street Murwillumbah. Photo: Tweed Shire Council.
Image description: South Murwillumbah in flood with Wollumbin Street Bridge visible. Photo: Tweed Shire Council
Tumbulgum
Tumbulgum has a long history of regular flooding with the February/March 2022 flood being a ‘flood of record’. The village is located where the Tweed and Rous Rivers meet and is surrounded by low-lying cane fields to the east. This makes the village especially prone to flooding from both rivers.
During severe weather, the cane drains behind the village can overflow into Irving Street and then into Bawden Street. This often happens before the river overflows onto Riverside Drive. During major floods, the riverbanks can break and flow across Riverside Drive, flooding nearby properties. When all these waters meet, Tumbulgum Village becomes totally isolated.
In a major flood, low-lying areas of Tumbulgum will become cut off and some properties may experience flooding inside over-floor flooding. Some residents and businesses will need to evacuate early to avoid being isolated. Waiting until floodwaters reach critical levels on roads may make it too late to leave safely.
Image Description: Flooding where the Rous and Tweed Rivers meet at Tumbulgum. Photo: Tweed Shire Council
Tweed Coast
The Tweed Coast is prone to flash flooding, particularly in Cudgen, Reserve, Cudgera, Christies, Mooball, and Crabbes Creeks, which rise and fall quickly due to the steep upper catchments. While riverine flooding is rare, major floods can inundate towns like Bogangar/Cabarita Beach, Hastings Point, Pottsville, Burringbar, Mooball, Wooyung, and Crabbes Creek.
Tweed Heads South and Banora Point
Flooding in Banora Point and Tweed Heads South can be caused by local runoff or backwater flows from Terranora, Broadwater or the Tweed River. High tides, storm surges, and steep urban development contribute to flash flooding.
Tweed Heads West, Cobaki, and Seagulls Estate
Bilambil, Terranora, and Cobaki Creeks are prone to flooding. It can isolate areas and lead to road closures, requiring evacuation of homes, businesses, and care facilities. Seagulls Estate is particularly vulnerable, with up to 1.5m of floodwater in major events. Evacuation may be necessary within 3-4 hours during flash floods.