Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee – Tuesday 29 November 2016

Page iii

Membership

Clr Findley – Chairperson

All Councillors

General Manager or nominee

Community representatives:-

Jessica Zealand

David McCorkell

Duncan Marshall

Ian Stewart

Dr Michael Brungs

Dirk Treloar

Annie Boutland

Thomas Booler

Helen Moody

David Reynolds

Kaye Milsom

Brett Stevenson

Chris Grounds

Mike Clear

Paul Beckett

Government Agency representatives:-

Jerrinja LALC

Ulladulla LALC

NPWS

SRCMA

OEH

RMS

DPI Fisheries

Local Lands Service

Crown Lands

NSW Office of Water

Jervis Bay Marine Park Authority

SES

Quorum – Three (3) provided that a minimum of one Councillor and two community representatives are present.

Objective

To foster sustainable management of Shoalhaven’s natural resources including floodplains, coast and estuaries.

Role of Committee

1. Provide overall guidance for the management of natural resource management including floodplain management, estuary management and coastal zone management in accordance with Federal, State and Local Government Policy and Legislative instruments;

2. Advise Council on natural resource management including floodplain management, estuary management and coastal zone management matters;

3. Formulate agreed vision, goals, objectives, and targets sought from the Natural Resource Management Plans;

4. Facilitate the preparation of Natural Resources Management Plans;

5. Provides input into the identification of management options for Natural Resources Management Plans;

6. Facilitate broad community consultation;

7. Monitor State and Federal Government natural resource management direction and advises Council on appropriate response;

8. Monitor advances in knowledge and science of natural resource management issues (such as sea level rise and climate change) and integrate this knowledge in new Natural Resource Management Plans as well as in the review of existing Plans; and

9. Make recommendations for Council consideration.

Minutes of the Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Location: Vera Hatton Gallery, Lady Denman Huskisson

Time: 4.00pm

Clr Findley

Clr White – left 5.30pm

Duncan Marshall

David Reynolds

Chris Grounds

Mike Clear

Brett Stevenson

Mike Brungs

Ian Stewart

Dirk Treloar

Helen Moody

Annie Boutland

Davd McCorkell

Alex Deura - NPWS

Matt Carr - JBMP

Habib Ullah – OEH

Allan Lugg – DPI Fisheries

John Murtagh – OEH

Oscar Garratt-Symes – OEH

Others Present:

Russ Pigg – General Manager – left 5.40pm

Tim Fletcher – Planning and Development Services Director

Kellie Lowe – Environmental Services Manager

Isabelle Ghetti – Natural Resources and Floodplain Manager

Ailsa Schofield – Senior Floodplain Engineer

Penny Lumb - Coast & Estuaries Assistant

Ray Massie – Coast and Estuaries Officer

Jessica Rippon - Communications Executive Manager

1. Acknowledgement of Aboriginal Elders Past and Present

Clr Findley acknowledged the Aboriginal land owners past and present

Apologies:

Apologies were received from Clr Kitchener, David Zerafa – NSW Office of Water, Kaye Milsom, Thomas Booler, Bill McInnes – SES, Paul Beckett

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting

It was advised that Allan Lugg was not present at the previous meeting.

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Shoalhaven Natural Resources and Floodplain Management Committee held on Wednesday 6 April 2016 be confirmed with the following change:

· Remove Allan Lugg from members present

CARRIED

3. Introduction of Members and Staff

The Committee members and staff introduced themselves and the area they represent.

4. Additional Item – Jessica Rippon – Community Engagement Policy Presentation File

# Jessica Rippon provided a presentation on the Community Engagement Policy.

Jessica advised that the new model focuses on different people leading the engagement to achieve particular outcomes i.e. the committee could lead conversations/engagement.

5. Procedural Motion – Bring Item Forward

PROCEDURAL MOTION: Moved: Consent

That the matter of Item 3, Page 16 - Sea Level Rise Projection in Shoalhaven: Science and Policy be brought forward for consideration.

CARRIED

6. (Item 3) SN16.1 Sea Level Rise Projection in Shoalhaven: Science and Policy File 53021E

It was advised that Isabelle Ghetti would provide a background briefing on the chronology of Council’s consideration but the reasons for Council resolutions could not be addressed entirely by staff as not all Councillors from all wards were present to represent their decisions.

# A PowerPoint presentation was provided to the Committee. The PowerPoint slides were from a Councillor Briefing by the consultant in addition to the staff report.

Note: Clr White left the meeting, the time being 5.30pm.

The Legal advice mentioned in the presentation was questioned by a number of members of whether it could be made available. Tim Fletcher advised that Council would reserve its legal privilege for this legal advice and was not in a position to make the advice public.

Question on Notice – Has Council already or is it possible to do projections on costs of possible damage to properties and infrastructure?

Note: Russ Pigg left the meeting, the time being 5.40pm

Brett Stevenson stated that the Hesse and Modra reference needs to be removed from the Policy as it is not allowed to be used as titled references, he believes this is grounds for a review.

Ian Stewart stated that a policy requires greater analysis, descriptions and guidance rather than a skeletal decision of Council.

Tim reinforced that this Council process begun with the State Government set of SCR figures, then the State Government allowed Councils to set their own levels. These levels are then used to make our policy documents.

The Committee questioned what is an appropriate planning horizon? As the projections not yet reality; why stop at 2100?

Duncan Marshall advised that there were a number of questions and that policy needs to be reviewed earlier than 7 years. It was advised that his prediction is much higher than Council’s and would not support a policy that has an 85% chance of flawed. The research is vast and contributions in the debate are huge.

The purpose of the graph shown as part of the presentation in relation to Council’s adopted SLR projections, was to illustrate the projections. Council adopted individual SLR projections for 2030, 2050 and 2100, no guidance was given in relation to the trajectory between the 2050 and 2100 projections. During the discussion the General Manager advised the Committee that it was his understanding that the Council considered that there would be a gradual SLR from the 2050 projection (0.23m) to the 2100 projection (0.36m).

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RECOMMENDED that Council consider as part of their review process of existing Sea Level Rise Policy review adopting a precautionary principle to sea level rise policy/adaption to climate change and that future policies include a statement of intent that informs a more detailed policy position including a scientifically supported planning horizon for the Shoalhaven.

Note: The Committee expressed their concerns on the apparent lack of a credible and widely accepted competent scientific basis upon which the current Council adopted their policy.

CARRIED

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RECOMMENDED that Council:

a) Consider adopting a more holistic approach managing Sea Level Rise and Climate change risk.

b) Adopt a four year review cycle for the above mentioned policies.

c) Report back to the committee if the peer review of the legal advice known as Attachment D on 10 February 2015 was undertaken.

CARRIED

7. Additional Item – Sub Committee to be Formed File

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RESOLVED that a small subcommittee of Chris Grounds, Mike Clear, OEH John Murtagh, Brett Stevenson, Clr Findley be convened to consider the existing Terms of Reference in relation to the Community Engagement, the structure, function and operation of the Committee and provide comment for further consideration by the committee.

CARRIED

8. (Item 4) Sea Level Rise Projection in Shoalhaven: Science and Policy File 50242E

Duncan advised this item will be withdrawn and to be resubmitted to the next Committee meeting.

# It was advised that the Addendum report that was submitted to the Strategy and Assets Committee 19 July 2016 that may provide some answers. This will be attached to the minutes.

9. (Item 2) 2016/17 Coastal, Estuary and Flood Programs overview File 4355E, 3406E, 30596E

It was advised that the consultants are finalising their report at the moment and would be able to present to the Committee and to the Councillors. An additional meeting will scheduled in the near future to provide the outcomes.

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RESOLVED that the Shoalhaven Natural Resources and Floodplain Management Committee receive the report regarding the 2016/17 Coastal, Estuary and Flood Programs overview for information.

10. Additional Item – Paul Beckett – Current Methods of Protection of the Environment

Paul Beckett sent a statement to be read. It has been attached to the minutes and will be discussed at the next meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6.34 pm.

Clr Findley

CHAIRPERSON

Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee – Tuesday 29 November 2016

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SN16.2 Community engagement on Coastal Management - Our Coast Our Lifestyle

HPERM Ref: D16/351599

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Our Coast Our Lifestyle -Shoalhaven Coastal Management community engagement report (under separate cover)⇨

Purpose / Summary

To provide an overview of the outcomes of a significant community engagement program on coastal management in the Shoalhaven - Our Coast our Lifestyle.

Recommendation

That Council

1. Place the full report on Council’s website and inform the community via media release and emails to stakeholders who participated in this project

2. The outcomes of ‘Our Coast Our Lifestyle’ inform the development of a future Coastal Management Program for the Shoalhaven.

Options

1. Support the recommendation of this report.

Implications: This will ensure that the community desires are considered in the development of a Coastal Management Program for the Shoalhaven that responds to the State Government coastal reform program.

2. The Committee could recommend and alternative option to Council.

Implications: Unknown

Background

Council engaged community consultation experts ‘Straight Talk’ to develop a community engagement strategy and deliver a suite of communication and engagement activities relating to coastal management. The project was funded by Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) and overseen by a technical committee comprising of Council staff (coastal management and community engagement) and State Government staff (OEH, Crown Lands and Fisheries).

The purpose of the engagement was to:

· Educate the community on coastal risks and coastal management options; and

· Understand community preferences for management options and factors Council should be considering when making decisions on coastal management.

A suite of activities were delivered from mid-March to mid-July 2016 under the title ‘Our Coast, Our Lifestyle’. The project attracted over 1,650 participants and provided robust evidence of the community views about coastal management.

A significant feature of this evidence was the consistency of views expressed by different community cohorts and across the various engagement activities undertaken.

Nicola Wass from Straight Talk will address the Committee during the meeting and provide an overview of the project, key activities undertaken and key findings.

A report on this project was compiled by Straight Talk and is provided in attachment to this report.

Policy Implications

Under the NSW State Government Coastal Reforms and new Coastal Management Act 2016, Council in developing a Coastal Management Program, must gather and consider community views. The ‘Our Coast Our Lifestyle’ project will be able to inform the development of a Coastal Management Program for the Shoalhaven that will also build on the existing draft Coastal Zone Management Plan 2012.

Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee – Tuesday 29 November 2016

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SN16.3 Shoalhaven Coastal Hazard Review

HPERM Ref: D16/361774

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Purpose / Summary

To inform the Committee that the draft Shoalhaven Coastal Hazard Review is now available.

Recommendation

That the committee:

1. Receive the presentation on the draft Shoalhaven Coastal Hazard Review.

2. Recommend Council consider placing the draft Shoalhaven Coastal Hazard Review on public exhibition.

Options

1. As recommended

Implications: This recommendation ensures that Council sea level rise decision and Coastal Hazard study align; it also ensures that new information collated since 2009 is appropriately considered in determining coastal hazards for the Shoalhaven coast.

2. The Committee could chose an alternative recommendation to make to Council.

Implications: unknown

Background

Coastal hazards of the Shoalhaven coastline were mapped and identified in 2009 based on coastal engineering studies undertaken as part of the risk assessment to inform the draft Shoalhaven Coastal Zone Management Plan 2012. That mapping took into account sea level rise (SLR) benchmarks under the previous NSW government SLR policy statement (DECCW, 2009) which set SLR benchmarks of 40cm above 1990 sea levels by 2050 and 90 cm above 1990 levels by 2100.

The State Government through its stage 1 coastal reforms, which came into effect in January 2013, asked NSW coastal Councils to adopt their own sea level rise projections. In response, Council in partnership with Eurobodalla Council and with funding and technical assistance from OEH, engaged expert consultants to develop a South Coast Regional Sea Level Rise Policy and Planning response framework. That document was not adopted by Council, however the study informed the decision by Councillors to adopt the following sea level rise projections on 10 February 2015:

· 100mm for 2030;

· 230 mm for 2050; and

· 350mm for 2100.

The revised SLR projections adopted by Council triggered a review of the coastal hazard mapping for the areas of the Shoalhaven coast identified in the map below.

The review also incorporated additional data that has become available since the 2009 coastal hazard assessment, including:

· Photogrammetry data

· LiDAR ground level information

· Bathymetric surveys

· Field survey transects

· Post storm survey information

· Coastal compartments information

The review also uses advances in analysis techniques developed by consultant Advisian.

Advisian staff will present the methodology and findings of the review at the meeting.

Community Engagement

It is recommended that the draft Coastal Hazard Review be placed on public exhibition and that all submissions received be reported back to Council for consideration.

Policy Implications

Council practice is that all policies should be reviewed within 12 months of an election of a new Council.

It is anticipated that the sea level rise (SLR) policy adopted by Council on 10 February 2015 will be presented for Council’s consideration at the Strategy and Assets Committee on 13 December 2016.

If Council decides to readopt its policy then the draft Shoalhaven Coastal Hazard review could be exhibited as it will be in line with Council adopted policy position.

If Council chooses to change its SLR projections, the draft Shoalhaven Coastal Hazard review will need to be updated to consider the new policy position. It is anticipated that this could be done relatively quickly and at minimal cost.

Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee – Tuesday 29 November 2016

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SN16.4 2016/17 Flood Program Update

HPERM Ref: D16/345608

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Purpose / Summary

To inform the Committee of the current projects being conducted as part of Council’s Floodplain Management Program and seek the Committee’s support to write to the Office of Environment and Heritage for advice on reviewing adopted Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans in catchments where catchment characteristics or modelling inputs have changed.

Recommendation

That the Committee recommend that Council write to the Office of Environment and Heritage to seek direction on how adopted Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans are to be revised in light of changes to modelling inputs or catchment characteristics.

Options

1. Adopt as recommended

Implications: This ensures the future review of adopted Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans is in line with State Government requirements and meets Council’s needs as outlined in the Floodplain Development Manual (2005).

2. The Committee could choose an alternate recommendation.

Implications: Unknown

Background

OEH Floodplain Management Program - Grant applications

Council receives grant funding from State Government’s Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to undertake projects under their Floodplain Management Program.

Grant funding is provided to Council on a 2:1 basis, with grant applications sought each financial year.

The Floodplain Management Program provides grant funding to:

· Develop flood studies;

· Develop floodplain risk management studies and plans (FRMSP); and

· Implement flood mitigation options identified in floodplain risk management plans.

Council has received advice that the two grant applications submitted for the 2016/2017 financial year have been successful. Council will therefore be conducting a review of the Lower Shoalhaven River and the St Georges Basin Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans. The grant amounts are for $166,667.67 and $61,000 respectively.

The brief for the reviews will focus on:

· updating the 1990 Shoalhaven River flood study model which uses a now outdated CELLS model and updating the current 2D model for St Georges Basin;

· modelling and assessing Council's adopted local sea level rise projections;

· including minor flood events of March 2012, June 2013, August 2015 and June 2016 for model calibration;

· developing information which feeds into Council and emergency services flood planning and management; and

· updating the cost benefit analysis maintaining the use of current methodology.

The Shoalhaven River FRMSP review will also focus on:

· reviewing the Shoalhaven River entrance management policy using the outcome of the new modelling; and

· reviewing the flood benefit and management of the Shoalhaven River levees.

The Committee will be asked to provide comments for these projects once the draft briefs have been prepared.

Review of adopted Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans

Following NSW government rescinding its Sea Level Rise Policy Statement, Council adopted sea level rise projections for the year 2050 and 2100. These projections are used to remap existing flood information (i.e. Conjola and Burrill Lakes).

It is important for Council’s adopted flood information to be representative of adopted sea level rise projections. Therefore requiring review of modelled data and associated FRMSPs.

Using the Lower Shoalhaven River and St Georges Basin FRMSP as examples, grant funding to conduct a review in light of Council’s adopted sea level rise projections was sought off OEH but was not granted. As sea level rise projections will continue to change in the future Council will need to continue to review adopted flood information and the associated FRMSP as this occurs.

In addition to this, since the adoption of the Broughton Creek FRMSP, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) have commenced work on the Berry bypass which includes a diversion of Town Creek to Bundewallah Creek. This diversion is now in place. Council, in partnership with members of the Berry community, have conducted channel realignment works along Princess and Alexandra St. These works have led to changes to flooding in these areas.

Council engaged Cardno (the flood consultant who conducted the FRMSP) to remodel the catchment to determine the current impact of flooding. This work has been completed and the new flood modelling has been adopted by Council. A review of the FRMSP has not been conducted.

Council has been made aware that without a review of adopted FRMSPs the revised modelled flood information does not meet Council’s obligations as set out in the Floodplain Development Manual (2005).

Council wishes to ensure flood information is representative of catchment conditions and Council’s adopted policies. It has therefore remodelled this information and wishes to use it for planning and development purposes. Council is concerned that if a full formal review of the adopted FRMSPs is required that this information may not be made available for use for a number of years, potentially providing misleading flood information for planning and development purposes. Advice from OEH on what triggers a review and the extent of this review would be welcomed.

Given these types of reviews will be occurring relatively regularly in the future, and have previously not been supported by receipt of grant funding from OEH, Council needs to be aware of the process required to conduct this work. Council also needs to know what technical support will be provided by OEH to conduct this work if grant funding is not provided, or the work is conducted as a non-grant funded project. It is for this reason support from the Shoalhaven Natural Resources and Floodplain Management Committee is being sort to seek formal advice from OEH.

Targeted repair to damaged levees - Shoalhaven River catchment

Targeted repair to damaged levees in the Shoalhaven River catchment has commenced with the Review of Environmental Factors currently being conducted. A separate detailed report to the Committee has been prepared on this project. This is a priority project for the flood team in the coming 12 months.

Shoalhaven Flood Alert Network

Council maintains a network of water level and rain gauges that are part owned by Council and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). There are 21 water level gauges and 46 rain gauges throughout the LGA. In the Shoalhaven River catchment alone there are 12 water level gauges and 17 rain gauges.

The gauges feed into BoMs flood alert network, providing Council live access to data recordings through the Enviromon software. The benefit of having this secondary Enviromon software and data recording is that it provides back up to BoMs system, allows information to be interrogated, and allows email alerts which are triggered by certain water levels or rainfall amounts to be set

The service level agreement between the Natural Resources and Floodplain Unit and the Communications Section of Shoalhaven Water is currently being updated to ensure the system continues to be maintained and function at its highest level.

In addition to gauges, water level boards are present at gauge sites so that visual checks of the water level can occur. This is most beneficial during a flood event, when the gauges are most likely to fail due to debris, dynamic changes in rainfall and water level, gauges being damaged due to extreme weather.

In many locations Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) has gauges alongside or joining Council’s gauges. The benefit of having two gauges in the one location is that information can be validated should one system fail. It also allows cost savings and knowledge sharing for sites with joint infrastructure.

In the coming year Council will be implementing recommendations of adopted FRMSP and working with local SES Units to identify locations for the installation of additional gauges and water level boards.

Tomerong water level gauge was destroyed in the August 2015 flood. This gauge provides vital information to the SES, aiding them in their flood planning and response during a flood event. Council has received confirmation that Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding will be provided to replace this gauge. Council is in the process of ordering the required components so the re-installation can occur as quickly as possible.

Tabourie Entrance Management Policy review

Following the completion of the Tabourie Lake FRMSP and the storm event in June this year Council is reviewing the Entrance Management Policy for Tabourie Lake. The draft proposal was sent to the Committee for comments which have been provided to the consultant.

The current Entrance Management Policy can be found at the below link:

http://doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Displaydoc.aspx?Record=D11/170871

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a core part of all work conducted by the Natural Resources and Floodplain Unit. Without support from the Shoalhaven Natural Resources and Floodplain Management Committee, State Government agencies and community members the work we complete would not be possible. Ongoing engagement ensures work is understood and supported.

Financial Implications

A number of projects are being funded from Council’s existing budgets. The Shoalhaven River and St Georges Basin FRMSP will be 2/3 funded by OEH and 1/3 funded by Council. Council’s portion of funding is currently available within existing budgets.

Funding to replace the Tomerong water level gauge is being provided by NDRRA funding.

Funding for levee work is outlined in the separate report.

Risk Implications

Ensuring these projects are conducted allows Council to conduct floodplain management in a manner which reduces risk to individuals, the community and infrastructure within the floodplain.

Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee – Tuesday 29 November 2016

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SN16.5 Shoalhaven River Levee Repair Works update

HPERM Ref: D16/346291

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Location and ID of Shoalhaven River Levees ⇩

2. Lower Shoalhaven River Levee Audit Report (under separate cover) ⇨

3. August 2015 Flood Damage Location Map ⇩

4. June 2016 Flood Damage Location Map ⇩

Purpose / Summary

The purpose of this report is to inform the Committee on the status of the Shoalhaven River levee repair works and to advise that Council has been successful in obtaining funding under the 2015 National Disaster Relief Assistance Program.

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Write to the Minister for the National Disaster Relief Assistance Program funding thanking him for providing the funding to Council to repair the 2015 flood levee damages.

2. Note that based on the successful 2015 National Disaster Relief Assistance Program funding application, works will be prioritised to utilise the NDRA funding and Council contribution to undertake levee repairs.

Options

1. The Committee supports the recommendation.

Implications: Ensures funding is received and levee works can proceed.

2. The Committee provide an alternative recommendation for future consideration by Council.

Implications: Unknown

Background

Council manages the Lower Shoalhaven River flood mitigation levees (26.1 km) which were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s. There are two levee categories, category 1 levees which protect residential settlements and category 2 levees which predominately protect farmland and farming buildings from the impacts of flooding (Attachment 1: Location and ID of Shoalhaven City Council Flood Levees). In 2005, part of the Category 1 levee known as the Terara levee was upgraded to its current design standard.

In May 2015 Council had the levees audited by Royal HaskoningDHV (Attachment 2: Lower Shoalhaven River Levee Audit Report). The audit identified a number of defects in the levees. Subsequent to the levee audit, two East Coast lows in August 2015 (Attachment 3: August 2015 Levee Flood Damage Location Map) and June 2016 (Attachment 4: June 2016 Levee Flood Damage Location Map) caused additional damage or defects.

Council has put in a claim for funding under the National Disaster Relief Assistance Program (NDRA) to repair the flood damages caused in 2015 amounting to $1.13 million. NSW Public Works were engaged immediately after the August 2015 flood to inspect and prepare estimates to repair the levee system to pre-flood condition. Council also submitted a NDRA claim to repair damages caused in June 2016. NDRA is a joint funding initiative from Commonwealth and State Governments to provide disaster relief and recovery payments and infrastructure restoration to help communities recover from the effects of natural disasters.

Category 1 levees are identified as critical infrastructure as they provide protection from riverine flood inundation to residential properties. The repair of these was therefore identified as a high priority. Due to limited funding availability Council resolved (MIN16.119a&b) to only advance the restoration of category 1 flood levees damaged during the August 2015 flood and repair the high priority defects identified during the levee audit, prior to knowing the NDRA 2015 outcome. Now that Council has been notified that its NDRA 2015 funding application was succesful, it is recommended that works be prioritised to utilise the NDRA funding and Council contribution to undertake levee repairs.

It is necessary to conduct the repairs so that levees can continue protecting people and property from river flooding and to ensure existing damaged levee sections are not damaged further.

Deed of Agreements (DoA) are being sent to property owners who will be affected by the levee repair works. DoA will allow Council to conduct the current levee repair works and future maintenance work on levees located on private properties . The Levee audit identified levee crest damages caused by cattle trampling and vehicles. Council will repair these unacceptable defects in the first instance. It is made clear in the DoA that any further damages occuring due to incorrect use of the levees are the responsibility of the landholder to repair.

Ecological Consultants Australia have commenced the Review of Environmental Factors (REF). Following completion of the REF the works will go out to tender so that a suitably qualified contractor can be appointed to do the works. Works are expected to commence in the new year.

Community Engagement

Council’s Floodplain Engineers and Property Unit Officer have met with property owners to discuss access and levee repair works to be conducted on their properties. Ecological Consultants Australia has visited levees located on private properties and discussed relevant matters with the property owners.

DoA sent to affected property owners will include a cover letter explaining the project. A follow up site visit was conducted to meet owners to discuss the DoA further. Comments received from property owners have been taken into account and reflected in revised DoA. The property owners have generally been supportive of the works.

Policy Implications

Council’s Asset Management Plan for flood mitigation drainage structures documents the required inspection and maintenance of the Sholahaven River levee system.

Financial Implications

Council has an annual maintenance budget of apprixametly $100,000 for flood mitigation drainage structures assets, which include, 50 flood mitigation drains (total length of 48.5km), 9 Levee banks (total length of 23.5km), 60 flood gates, 3 weirs and 14 bridges. This budget is not sufficient to maintain these assets to their designed standards and is not sufficient to respond to flood damages.

Council previosuly committed an additional $660,000 to conduct works. Currently $300,000 has been made available from the Flood Mitigation Maintenance and Flood Levee Repairs budgets for this financial year (2016/17). A report to Council will be prepared following engagement of the preferred tender to advise Council if more funds will be required to conduct the works.

The result of Councils claims for funding under NDRA to repair the flood damages caused in 2015 ($1.13 million) was successful and 2016 ($272,470) is currently unknown.

Risk Implications

It is necessary to conduct the repairs so that the levees can continue protecting people and property from river flooding and to ensure existing damaged levee sections are not damaged further.

Shoalhaven Natural Resource & Floodplain Management Committee – Tuesday 29 November 2016

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SN16.6 June 2016 Storm Remediation Response

HPERM Ref: D16/347267

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. NSW Ocean Waves and Water Levels - June 2016 East Coast Low Storm - Supporting Technical Information ⇩

2. Currarong Coastal erosion management - public meeting - hand out (under separate cover) ⇨

Purpose / Summary

To inform the Committee on the status of responses to the 4 – 7 June 2016 East Coast Low flood / coastal storm event in coastal areas.

Recommendation

That the Committee recommend that Council

1. Proceed with detailed design, Review of Environmental Factors, Aboriginal Heritage assessment for long-term coastal erosion management works at Currarong including a trial geotextile sand groyne and sand nourishment. That further community consultation be undertaken as part of this process.

2. Council recognise the opportunity provided by the August 2015 and June 2016 East Coast Lows to investigate adaptive strategies to the management of Council’s Coastal Assets such as retreat, relocate and/or rationalisation of the number of assets where possible.

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation of this report

Implications: This will allow progress of long-term erosion management at Currarong and more effective coastal assets management.

2. The Committee could provide an alternate recommendation to Council

Implications: unknown

Background

Following the June 2016 East Coast Low event (overview provided in Attachment 1), reports to Council were prepared to provide an overview of damages and a priority list of repair works. In response, Council allocated $500,000 with $350,000 for coastal management priority works and $150,000 for restoration works in the immediate vicinity of adjoining Holiday Haven Tourist Parks (min 16.586).

This report provides an update on status of repairs to date.

Ulladulla Harbour foreshore protection

The June 2016 storm caused major erosion of a 30-metre section of the existing rear harbour revetment and the loss of the tidal beach affecting park infrastructure and public amenity.

Response:

· Post storm survey investigations completed;

· Hazard management installed and undermined park furniture removed or relocated;

· Site meetings held with Roads & Maritime Services (RMS), Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) and Crown Lands;

· RMS funding applied for but denied;

· Contractor engaged to undertake remediation works including extension of protection and rock fill of the upper embankment and beach scraping as well as relocating sand from the southern beach fronting the boat ramp carpark. Works are expected to occur in November/December 2016 at an approximate cost of $50,000.

Community consultation:

· Media release issued on 11 November 2016 to advise community of planned restoration works.

Figure1: Impacts of June 2016 storm on Ulladulla Harbour foreshore

Currarong Beach

The June storm caused significant beach sand loss under elevated tide and NE storm conditions along Warrain Crescent and damages to park and road assets at the rock pools and Dolphin Reserves.

Response:

· Short term safety and clean up measures included temporary hazard fencing and remediation of parks infrastructures around Abrahams Bosom reserve carpark sand recovery and rock pools remediation completed at a cost of $25,000;

· Beach access hazard closure and reshaping of beach access at Peel St and Currarong Creek completed;

· Land survey of erosion profiles as part of beach erosion monitoring program;

· Community consultation, public meeting, in September 2016 by Coastal Engineer from Royal Haskoning to discuss short and long term responses;

· REF completed and relevant permits obtained for short-term works; and

· Coastal engineering advice and Aboriginal Heritage assessment informed short-term works (beach scraping and nourishment) and step access replacement (limited to two) along Warrain Crescent contracted. Soil Conservation Service was contracted to do the works in early November at an approximate cost of $150,000; the works required Aboriginal Land Council supervision given the sensitivity of the site.

Next Steps/community consultation:

· The community meeting at Currarong was attended by approximately 125 community members. The meeting clearly highlighted that a trial geotextile sand groyne is the recommended option by three coastal experts and OEH to manage long-term erosion at Currarong.

A hand out was distributed to the participants at the community meeting (refer attachment 2). At the meeting community members were invited to make submissions to Council. At the time of writing this report 11 submissions have been received. Four (4) submissions are in support of the trial geotextile sand groyne. Five (5) do not support the groyne due to concerns on impacts (visual and environmental) and cost. One (1) submission is silent as to whether it supports or not supports the groyne, and another raises concerns but acknowledges something needs to be done. A submission from the Currarong Progress Association advised that at their November meeting, there was unanimous support for the consultant’s recommendations for longer term management of the beach and dunes.

· It is recommended that Council progress with detailed design, REF and Aboriginal Heritage Assessment for long-term response including a trial geotextile sand groyne installation and beach nourishment.

· Further community consultation to be undertaken as part of this process including opportunities to rationalise number of access ways.

Figure 2: Eight beach access stairs were destroyed at Currarong along Warrain Crescent by the June 206 storm

Lake Tabourie

The 80m foreshore boardwalk was lifted during the combined ocean storm/flood event and damaged beyond repair.

Response:

· Short term responses included hazard signage, temporary fencing with the staged removal of the structure completed with post foundations removed prior to September school holidays to make site safe; and

· Land survey was completed in late September and confirmed existing land level provided reasonable access along the estuary foreshore within the current “open entrance” scenario and reasonable access levels within the intervention level for Tabourie entrance of 1.2m AHD.

Next Steps/community consultation:

· Council staff will continue discussions with the community to confirm a reasonable outcome for this popular foreshore walking precinct, noting the significant conflict between foreshore access and threatened Shorebird nesting areas for migratory shorebirds (Hooded Plover and Little Tern) and the availability for beach access from the Beach Road carpark.

Figure 3: Damaged Lake Tabourie boardwalk

Shoalhaven Heads

The River Rd estuary foreshore experienced moderate erosion impact as the flood notch breached and allowed the significant ocean swell / king tide to enter and combine with local catchment flooding.

The Shoalhaven open beach access ways were damaged and beach erosion warning signs in place since the 2015 event were upgraded during September.

Response:

· Contactors were engaged to reshape the main beach access points for public safety with other beach access points remaining closed;

· Tree inspection along the River Road foreshore led to the removal of 45 dangerous trees that are included in a monitoring program;

· Building waste has emerged from bank failures containing asbestos, a monitoring program has commenced with removal of asbestos;

· Land survey and comparative survey has commenced to monitor erosion of the River Road frontage;

· Water Research Laboratory (WRL) has been engaged to develop a remediation design, with the pub frontage identified as a priority area due to risk; and

· Contractors wereengaged to undertake additional ‘make safe’ works along the River Rd foreshore including beach scraping to cover exposed tree root plates that present a public risk, and spread tree mulch left on site from initial dangerous tree removal.

Figure 4: Eroded foreshore along River Road, Shoalhaven Heads

Next Steps/community consultation:

· Council staff and WRL are to attend a public meeting organised by the Shoalhaven Heads Community Forum on 7 December 2016 to discuss management options for River Road erosion.

Mollymook Beach

The south end of the beach damage included exposure of the Golf Club protective gabion wall and inundation of the Ocean St road stormwater system and damage to the sandstone retaining wall.

The Blackwater creek sand nourishment area suffered minor damages.

The creek training wall at north end of the beach was damaged.

Response:

· Repair to the northern creek retaining wall was completed in October 2016 where a section of rock gabions was replaced with geotextile sand bags (cost $25,000);

· Minor beach reshaping to beach access and repair of sand nourishment at Blackwater Creek was completed in October 2016;

· The gabion structure partly protecting the Golf Club and shared path was exposed and damaged and is alsoapproaching the end of its useful life. Regular inspections of gabion structure to monitor public risk will continue (in particular from protruding gabion structure’s wire); and

· Inspection and risk assessment of pathways undertaken by Recreation Community and Culture.

Next Steps/community consultation:

· Royal Haskoning have drafted a Foreshore Stabilisation at Mollymook Beach (South) for long term protection of the southern end of Mollymook beach including sewer pump station, Golf Club, shared pathway, Golf Avenue Road reserve and extending to the Surf Club precinct; and

· Consultation with the Golf Club, OEH, Council’s asset custodians (road, stormwater, sewer, and shared path) is required to define a preferred option and funding scheme before detailed design and environmental assessments can progress.

Figure 5: Eroded gabion protection structure at Mollymook Surf Club

Culburra Beach

Southern beach access ways were damaged from The Haven north along the entire beach with some rock outcrops uncovered.

Response:

· Short term response included preliminary staff inspection and engagement of contractors to inspect and reshape some beach access points where feasible.

Nest steps:

· Inspection and repair work will continue in the 2016-17 financial year under the annual Coastal Risk Assessment in July.

Vincentia

Collingwood Beach stormwater outlets were inundated and erosion occurred at the bridge abutments of the shared pathway along Collingwood Beach.

Beach access points at Plantation Point were damaged.

Response:

· Repair of the bridge abutments additional rock protection was completed in October; and

· Plantation Point access (north east) closed due to risk to users, repairs/upgrade scheduled to access point near play equipment prior to Christmas.

Next step/community consultation:

· Inspection and repair work will continue in the 2016-17 financial year under the annual Coastal Risk Assessment in July and relocation of undermined furniture; and

· Consultation with community to continue to assess potential to rationalise number of access ways to the beach at Plantation Point.

Figure 6: Erosion along the shared path at Vincentia

Greenwell Point Foreshore

Existing shoreline protection structures at Adelaide St were eroded.

The shared footpath at Titania Park was eroded/undermined.

The sandstone wharf site which was damaged in 2015 was further undermined.

Responses:

· Hazard areas immediately isolated with hazard signage and barriers;

· Beach scraping of shared cycleway frontage completed; and

· Minor repairs of damaged rock protection and recreation beaches completed.

Next steps:

· Programmed repairs of rock protection assets; and

· Design of heritage sandstone wharf precinct is in preparation for heritage permit application.

Figure 7: Erosion along the shared path at Greenwell Point

Bendalong Coastal Headlands

The E/NE storm was shown to increase in intensity in south coast locations with Bega experiencing a 1 in 85 year event. As experienced at Currarong, exposed north facing sites such as Bendalong experienced a long period of wave damage with the spring tide allowing wave attack at the rear of the beach.

Responses:

· Cunjurong Point - main stair access point to Green Island undermined needing emergency barriers and beach scraping to reinstate;

· Bendalong Headland - several beach access ways undermined with scour depths of 1.5m on a cobble beach unexpected and requiring extension of star treads of over 2m; and

· Kioloa Beach Caravan Park - potentially hazardous erosion scarp requiring warning signage and barriers.

Bendalong Boat Harbour

The storm scoured several areas in the bay uncovering Aboriginal midden deposits and shell deposits. Sections of this high use park are unstable placing Council assets and visitors at risk from tree fall and embankment collapse. The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) heritage staff have inspected the site and provided preliminary advice and detailed assessment has commenced to accompany a landscape master plan for the reserve. Contractors have been engaged to place safety fencing in high public risk areas and place rock bollards in unstable road verges to manage high public risk for the coming season.

Figure 8: Erosion along Bendalong Boat Harbour foreshore

Community Engagement

Most sites discussed above will require further community consultation.

The East Coast low provided an opportunity to inform and educate the Shoalhaven community. The event and its impacts were documented in a special edition of Council’s Frontline News accessible at:

http://doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/DisplayDoc.aspx?record=D16/279931

Financial Implications

Council’s Coastal and Estuary Assets Management Plan guides the management of beach access ways in the Shoalhaven. Council has about 220 beach access ways that for most were built in the 80s under the State Beach Improvement Program that followed the devastating storms of the 70s. These access ways are regularly maintained to keep them safe and useable, however most are approaching the end of their useful life and most are in need of major repair and replacement. On average, a new access ways costs $25,000 with an annual allocation of $50,000 for coastal access capital works, Council is faced with a major budgetary challenge. With many parks assets (tables and seats) being removed or relocated and beach accesses being damaged and closed as a result of the June East Coast low, we now have the opportunity to apply some adaptive strategies to our coastal assets. Reducing the number of coastal access ways in areas that are ‘over serviced’ would allow savings to be channelled towards upgrading the retained assets. At beaches where this approach is now appropriate, discussion and consultation with affected communities will occur.