Clarence Valley Council (CVC) have released a statement revealing they resolved to make representation to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the State Government to automate the flood gauge at Coutts Crossing in August 2020.

Greg Mashiah, Water Cycle Manager for CVC said council was subsequently advised by the Bureau, that they will replace the manually read river gauge at Coutts Crossing (station number 558030) with an automatic gauge as part of a program of works to upgrade critical components of the Bureau’s flood warning network as they recognised the current safety risk posed to volunteers reading the gauge at times of flood. 

Mr Mashiah said while the Bureau initially indicated they hoped installation of the automatic gauge would be in 2022, the most recent advice the Bureau has given council is that installation will be by October 2023.