As communities across Northern NSW continue to recover from a series of devastating flood events, the need for rapid, accurate assessment of infrastructure damage has never been more urgent. In areas like Lismore, where road networks are critical for connecting residents, businesses and emergency services, understanding the full extent of pavement and roadway damage is a top priority.




In support of Lismore City Council’s flood recovery efforts, Bennett + Bennett was engaged by Dykman Consulting to deliver a fast, cost-effective solution using advanced aerial surveying technology. The mission: map approximately 150 kilometres of damaged road corridors - quickly, safely, and with precision.

Traditionally, a survey of this scale would have required teams on the ground working over several weeks, with estimates suggesting up to 45 days to complete. This not only demands significant personnel and budgetary resources, but also presents safety challenges in areas that may still be unstable or inaccessible due to flood damage.

Instead, Bennett + Bennett deployed a helicopter-mounted REIGL VUX-160 Ultra LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system - an innovative piece of spatial technology capable of capturing ultra-high-density data from the air. In just a few hours, our team was able to collect detailed 3D spatial information across the entire corridor network.

The benefits of this approach were immediate and measurable.

The use of LiDAR technology drastically reduced the time required to complete the survey, enabling Dykman Consulting and Lismore City Council to move more swiftly into the planning and remediation phases. The resulting data delivers a highly accurate digital model of existing conditions, allowing engineers to assess surface damage, identify hazards, and prioritise repair works with confidence.

What’s more, this rapid turnaround led to a substantial reduction in costs. In a matter of days, we were able to capture what would typically take months of field survey. This approach not only accelerated project timelines but also delivered exceptional value for money - freeing up resources for the works that matter most.

This collaboration underscores the importance of embracing technology in disaster response and infrastructure management. LiDAR, particularly when mounted on aerial platforms, offers a powerful way to assess large, complex environments in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods.

This project is a strong example of how collaboration and the thoughtful application of technology can deliver real value in challenging circumstances. We're grateful to have played a part in supporting Dykman Consulting and Lismore City Council in their ongoing recovery efforts and proud to see innovative solutions making a meaningful difference for the communities affected.