Agenda of Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee

Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 04 December, 2024

Location: Jervis Bay Room, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 4.00pm

Please note: Council’s Code of Meeting Practice permits the electronic recording and broadcast of the proceedings of meetings of the Council which are open to the public. Your attendance at this meeting is taken as consent to the possibility that your image and/or voice may be recorded and broadcast to the public.

Agenda

1. Meeting Conduct Statement

2 Acknowledgement of Country

3. Apologies

4. Confirmation of Minutes

· Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee - 22 November 2023.......................................................................................... 1

5. Declaration of Interests

6. Introduction and Context to Presentations

Council Floodplain Management Team

7. Presentations

SFM24.1...... Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan

Rhelm will provide a presentation to the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee.

SFM24.2...... Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan

Worley will provide a presentation to the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee.

8. Reports

SFM23.5...... General Update on Flood Projects.......................................... 4

SFM24.3...... Clyde River Flood Study and Flood Risk Management Study and Plan Public Exhibition....................................................... 8

SFM24.4...... Willinga Lake Flood Study and Flood Risk Management Study and Plan Public Exhibition..................................................... 12

9. General Business

Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee – Wednesday 04 December 2024

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Membership

Chairperson – Clr Patricia White

All Councillors (Non-voting members)

Chief Executive Officer or nominee (Non-voting member)

Community representatives:-

Michael Brungs

Adam Crossley

Holly Gunton

David Laidlaw

Carol Saad

Government Agency representatives:-

Local Aboriginal Land Council

NSW State Emergency Services

Department of Planning & Environment (DPE)

Other relevant Government Agency representatives

Quorum – Three (3) (provided that a minimum of one (1) Councillor as the Chair or Acting chair and two community representatives are present)

Note: Any non-voting Councillor in attendance at any Committee meeting may act as an alternate voting member in circumstances where achievement of a quorum is required, noting that this doesn’t apply when quorum specifies the quorum to require community member attendance.

Purpose:

The principal objective of the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee is to assist Shoalhaven City Council in the development and implementation of one or more floodplain risk management plans for the southern area of the Council. This will need to be in accordance with the NSW Floodplain Development Manual. The southern area applies to the following catchments:

· Lake Conjola;

· Narrawallee;

· Mollymook;

· Ulladulla;

· Burrill Lake;

· Lake Tabourie; and

· Willinga Lake

Role:

a. To assist the Council in the development and implementation of a Flood Study, Floodplain Risk Management Study and Floodplain Risk Management Plan for the areas listed under ‘Purpose’ (see above);

b. To assist the Council monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of the management plans during and after their implementation;

c. To assist the Council by providing input into known flood behaviour as part of the Flood Study; and

d. Facilitate broader community consultation and participation in floodplain risk management through informing and liaising with member community groups.

Minutes of the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 22 November 2023

Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 4.14pm

The following members were present:

Clr Patricia White - Chairperson

Clr Evan Christen (Remotely)

Mr Michael Brungs (Remotely)

Ms Carol Saad – Left at 4.34pm

Mr Rodney Whalan – NSW SES (Remotely)

Mr Nathan Pomfret – Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) (Remotely)

Dr Michael Roberts - Manager - Environmental Services

Others present:

Mr Mark Stone - Lead - Floodplain Management

Mr Alexander Aronsson - Floodplain & Stormwater Quality Engineer

Mr Colin Bron – NSW SES Services (Remotely)

Mr Luke Evans – Rhelm (Remotely)

Mr Matthew Phillips – MHL (Remotely)

Mr Chris Thomas - Advisian (Remotely)

Mr Lennox To – Advisian (Remotely)

Mr Bronson McPherson (Remotely)

Mr William McInnes (Remotely)

SFM23.4 Election of Chairperson

HPERM Ref: D23/419432

Dr Michael Roberts assumed the Chair and asked the members present if there were any nominations for the role of Chairperson.

Clr Patricia White was nominated by the Committee for the position of Chairperson. There being no further nominations, the Committee accepted the nomination.

Recommendation

That the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee recommend to Council that [insert name of Councillor] be elected as Chairperson for the period to September 2024.

recommendation (By consent)

That the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee recommend to Council that Clr Patricia White be elected as Chairperson for the period to September 2024.

CARRIED

The meeting was opened with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Clr Kotlash, Mr David Laidlaw and Ms Holly Gunton.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Michael Brungs / Clr White)

That the Minutes of the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee held on Wednesday 11 August 2021 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declaration of Interests

Nil

Presentations

SFM23.2 Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan Presentation

HPERM Ref: D23/466773

Mr Chris Thomas - Advisian provided a presentation to the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee. The presentation is attached to the Minutes.

Note: Quorum was lost, the time being 4.34pm and therefore the meeting lapsed. Although quorum had not been reached, the members present received two further presentations.

SFM23.1 ICOLL Catchments Flash Flood Warning System Scoping Study Presentation	HPERM Ref: D23/466770
Manly Hydraulics Laboratory provided a presentation to the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee. The presentation is attached to the Minutes.

SFM23.3 Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan Presentation	HPERM Ref: D23/466783
Rhelm provided a presentation to the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee. The presentation is attached to the Minutes.

Reports

SFM23.5 General Update on Flood Projects	HPERM Ref: D23/429501
Note: This item will be dealt with at the next Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee meeting.

The meeting lapsed due to lack of quorum, the time being 4.34pm. The Committee continued to hold informal discussion following the close of the meeting.

Clr Patricia White

CHAIRPERSON

Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee – Wednesday 04 December 2024

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SFM23.5 General Update on Flood Projects

HPERM Ref: D23/429501

Department: Environmental Services

Approver: James Ruprai, Director - City Development

Reason for Report

To provide the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee (SFRMC) with an update on various flood related projects in the SFRMC region.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

The Committee receive the General Update on Flood Projects report for information.

Options

1. The Committee receive the General Update on Flood Projects report for information.

Implications: Nil.

2. The Committee could choose to provide an alternative recommendation for consideration by Council.

Implications: Unknown.

Background

Intermittently Closed and Open Lake and Lagoon (ICOLL) Catchments Flash Flood Warning System Scoping Study

Council has engaged a consultant, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL), to assist with the delivery of this study.

The primary objectives of this study are to scope the requirements and determine feasible options for the implementation of a fit-for-purpose location-based flash flood warning system for the catchments of Lake Conjola, Burrill Lake and Tabourie Lake to proactively improve flood warning and evacuation capabilities within the townships of these areas.

Council has established a Get Involved webpage for this project:

https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/icoll

Initial community consultation was undertaken in May – June 2023 including a questionnaire. The questionnaire covered topics of flood risk perception, flood preparedness, preferred flood information sources, and preferred mechanisms for flood warning messaging.

Following the completion of initial consultation, a draft Shoalhaven Flash Flood Warning System Options report was prepared. The report outlines recommendations for a flash flood warning system that would predict lake levels in a flood event, provide early warning, and assist with flood response and pre-flood entrance management procedures for these lakes.

Council completed further community consultation from October to November 2023 to obtain community feedback on the draft recommendations for a flash flood warning system. The outcome of this community consultation was a preferred option which then progressed to the detailed design stages of the project.

The Total Flood Warning System (TFWS) detailed design is expected to be completed in November 2024.

Council has applied for grant funding (2/3 contribution) from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Flood Program to implement the proposed TFWS at Lake Conjola, Burrill Lake and Tabourie Lake. Council is expecting to hear the outcome from this grant funding application later this year. Provided Council can fund the 1/3 co-contribution, procurement for the TFWS implementation will then occur in early 2025.

Shoalhaven LGA Floor Level Survey for Flood Planning

Council received grant funding from the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) to undertake this project. The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

The purpose of this project was to undertake a floor level survey of existing dwellings located on flood prone land within the Shoalhaven LGA to assist in reducing existing and future flood risk to the Shoalhaven community.

This project was completed in June 2024. This project included floor level survey in the Lake Conjola, Millard’s Creek, Burrill Lake, Tabourie Lake, and Willinga Lake catchments within the SFRMC area.

The outputs of the study, the surveyed floor levels, will be shared with the NSW SES to incorporate this information into their flood event emergency response procedures. Council will utilise the floor level data to assess the suitability of potential flood mitigation measures as investigated via a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, and to review and update other Council policies such as Entrance Management Plans.

EOI for Vacant Community Representatives on Committee

It is noted that there are currently two (2) vacancies on the Southern FRMC, one (1) youth representative and one (1) community representatives. As a result, Council has issued an expression of interest (EOI) to fill these vacancies.

As per the Terms of Reference, memberships for Local Representatives on the committee consists of:

“…five (5) local community representatives, one (1) youth representative between ages 16 and 30, and one (1) indigenous representative, which meet the following criteria:

§ A broad interest, knowledge and understanding of floodplain management and the areas within the committee’s jurisdiction.

§ A commitment to floodplain management in the nominated Council area; and

§ Local resident or business person living or working in or near a flood prone area.”

More information can be found in the Committee’s Terms of Reference, available on Council’s website.

Terms of Reference Northern / Central / Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committees

It is expected that the EOI will remain open until the remaining FRMC vacancies have been filled.

Lake Conjola Flood Information Letters

Following the Lake Conjola flood event in November 2023, Council decided to provide a Flood Information Letter to the wider Lake Conjola community free of charge. The letter was designed to provide property owners with a better understanding of the flood risk associated with their land and dwelling. Residents interested in obtaining a tailored letter for their property could opt-in to this service. The individual letters incorporated relevant flood and habitable floor level data from the Lake Conjola Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2013) and the Shoalhaven Floor Level Survey for Flood Planning project (2024).

Approximately 900 letters were sent out in July 2024 to all residents of Lake Conjola, Conjola Park, Fisherman’s Paradise, Yatte Yattah, and Berringer Lake, that are within the Lake Conjola Flood Study extent, irrespective of whether their property is flood-affected or not.

To date, Council has received 166 requests for a flood information letter and has issued just as many.

New Rain and Water Level Gauges

Council has installed new rainfall and water level gauges at the following locations. These gauges all comprise Alert 2 equipment.

§ Willinga Lake rainfall and water level gauge (Willinga Lake catchment).

§ Morton Rain Gauge (Tabourie Lake catchment).

§ George Boyd Lookout (Lake Conjola catchment).

These new gauges are available via the Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) website.

These new gauges are included in Council’s Enviromon Flood Alert Network, which will allow alerts to be sent to Council and NSW SES staff based on predetermined trigger levels. The Morton and George Boyd lookout rain gauges will also form part of the Tabourie Lake and Lake Conjola TFWS.

Flood Alert Network Upgrade

Council has funding for the staged upgrade of existing rainfall and water level gauges to Alert 2 equipment.

The following gauges within the SFRMC region have been upgraded since this project commenced.

§ Fisherman’s Paradise rain gauge (Lake Conjola catchment).

§ Lake Conjola (Lake Conjola catchment).

§ Porters Creek Dam (Clyde River catchment, but close to Lake Conjola upper catchment).

§ Ulladulla rain gauge.

It is noted that the existing Burrill Lake rainfall and water level gauges are planned to be relocated and upgraded to Alert 2 equipment within the 2024 / 25 financial year. These existing gauges are being relocated onto public land.

Enviromon Replacement

Council’s Enviromon software (historically provided by and supported by the Bureau) allows rainfall and water level gauge data to be accessed in real time. Enviromon also allows alerts to be sent to Council and NSW SES staff based on predetermined trigger levels.

The Bureau of Meteorology is replacing Enviromon software from January 2025 and only providing technical support to third-party Enviromon users (such as Shoalhaven City Council) until late-2025. Council therefore needs to transition to an Enviromon replacement system and has requested funding for the 2025 / 26 financial year via Council’s Delivery Program Operational Plan (DPOP) and Budget process. If this budget is made available, Council will implement an Enviromon replacement system in the 2025 / 26 financial year.

Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee – Wednesday 04 December 2024

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SFM24.3 Clyde River Flood Study and Flood Risk Management Study and Plan Public Exhibition

HPERM Ref: D24/479290

Department: Environmental Services

Approver: James Ruprai, Director - City Development

Purpose:

To provide the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee (SFRMC) with an update on the Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and seek endorsement from the SFRMC to commence public exhibition and community consultation of the draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Summary and Key Points for Consideration:

Rhelm has been engaged by Council to prepare the Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Initial community consultation was undertaken from Monday 24 July to Friday 18 August 2023.

Rhelm has completed a draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study, and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Council is seeking endorsement from the SFRMC to commence public exhibition and community consultation for the draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

The Committee:

1. Receive the draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan reports for information; and

2. Endorse the commencement of public exhibition and community consultation for the draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Options

1. That the Committee:

a) Receive the draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan for information; and

b) Endorse the commencement of public exhibition and community engagement of the Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Implications: Nil.

2. The Committee could choose to provide an alternative recommendation for consideration by Council.

Implications: This option could delay the progress of the project, result in additional project costs and/or prevent the completion of these flood investigations within the project timeframe, which could jeopardise the grant funding for this project.

Background and Supplementary information

Rhelm has been engaged by Council to prepare the Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

The objectives of this study are to improve understanding of flood behaviour and impacts, and better inform management of flood risk in the study area in consideration of the available information, and relevant standards and guidelines. It aims to provide an understanding of flood behaviour and consequences by considering local flood history, available flood data, and through the development of hydrologic and hydraulic models to replicate the catchment’s response to rainfall.

The outputs from this project will provide critical information to the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) to assist them in managing the risk of properties becoming isolated for a significant period during flood events. The outputs will also provide Council with a Plan of Management of the flood risk within the floodplain, which may include infrastructure upgrades, development controls, and emergency management recommendations. Whilst there are unlikely to be a significant number of properties directly impacted on by flooding, the catchment includes properties which can become isolated due to inundation of existing low level waterway crossings.

Council has established a Get Involved webpage for this project and initial community consultation (including an online survey) was undertaken from Monday 24 July to Friday 18 August 2023. The objectives of this initial community consultation were to inform the community of the commencement of this study, seek information from the community on historic flood events to assist in the development and calibration of flood models, and seek input from the community on potential mitigation measures to be investigated as part of the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Rhelm has completed a draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study, and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan. Rhelm will provide a presentation on the draft Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan at the SFRMC meeting.

Internal Consultations

Internal consultation has been undertaken with Strategic Planning and City Services for this project.

External Consultations

External consultation has been undertaken with NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the NSW SES throughout this project. It is noted that NSW DCCEEW and NSW SES staff have attended monthly project meetings and reviewed all deliverables. The draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan reports all include feedback from NSW DCCEEW and the NSW SES.

Consultation has also been undertaken with Eurobodalla Shire Council given the Clyde River catchment is located within the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla local government areas (LGAs). The flood modelling results, however not included on the maps, extend to Batemans Bay and therefore the outcomes of this flood investigation will be useful for the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Community Consultations

https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/clyde-river-flood-study

A letter was sent to all property owners in the Clyde River catchment, nearby CCBs notified, posts disseminated via the Community Information Hubs and corflute signs were installed at key locations in the catchment.

A drop-in session was held on Tuesday 8 August 2023 at the Ulladulla Civic Centre. This drop-in session was attended by Council staff, local NSW SES volunteers, DCCEEW flood specialist and the consultants from Rhelm.

Public exhibition is currently being planned for Monday 27 January to Sunday 23 February 2024. The community will be notified by media release, letters to landowners, Community Information Hubs and Corflute signs. A drop-in session will be held at the Ulladulla Civic Centre in February, and this is currently being planned.

The draft Clyde River Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan will be finalised based on community feedback. The outcomes of the public exhibition will be presented to the SFRMC seeking endorsement for the final deliverables to be adopted by Council.

Policy Implications

This investigation is being prepared in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy (2023), the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023). The outcomes of this investigation will be used to assess proposed development against Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014 and Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014.

Financial Implications

This project is fully funded from the Australian Government's Preparing Australian Communities Program – Local Stream. This project needs to be completed by no later than 31 March 2025. Any project costs after this date would need to be covered by Council. It may also impact on Council’s ability to claim costs incurred to date as failing to deliver on time would be a breach of the grant agreement.

Risk Implications

The Clyde River Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan have investigated flood risk and potential mitigation measures for implementation by Council. This information allows Council to undertake risk-based flood risk management decisions in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy (2023) and NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023).

These flood investigations have been prepared in accordance with the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023). Section 733 of the Local Government Act 1993 provides local councils and statutory bodies representing the Crown, and their employees, with a limited legal indemnity for certain advice given, or things done or not done, relating to the likelihood of flooding or the extent of flooding. The Act also provides that a council that acts in accordance with the Flood Risk Management Manual relating to the management of flood liable land is taken to have acted in good faith in relation to advice given, or things done or not done, relating to the likelihood of flooding or the extent of flooding.

The flood information prepared as part of this flood investigation will be invaluable for the NSW SES for flood event response in the Clyde River catchment.

Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee – Wednesday 04 December 2024

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SFM24.4 Willinga Lake Flood Study and Flood Risk Management Study and Plan Public Exhibition

HPERM Ref: D24/480636

Department: Environmental Services

Approver: James Ruprai, Director - City Development

Purpose:

To provide the Southern Floodplain Risk Management Committee (SFRMC) with an update on the Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and seek endorsement from the SFRMC to commence public exhibition and community consultation of the draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Summary and Key Points for Consideration:

Worley (previously known as Advisian) has been engaged by Council to prepare the Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Initial community consultation was undertaken from Monday 31 July to Friday 25 August 2023.

Worley has completed a draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study, and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Council is seeking endorsement from the SFRMC to commence public exhibition and community consultation for the draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

The Committee:

1. Receive the draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan reports for information; and

2. Endorse the commencement of public exhibition and community consultation for the draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Options

1. That the Committee:

a) Receive the draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan for information; and

b) Endorse the commencement of public exhibition and community engagement of the Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Implications: Nil.

2. The Committee could choose to provide an alternative recommendation for consideration by Council.

Background and Supplementary information

Worley has been engaged by Council to prepare the Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

The outputs from this project will provide critical information to the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) to assist them to assist the community during flood events. The outputs will also provide Council with a Plan of Management of the flood risk within the floodplain, which may include infrastructure upgrades, development controls, and emergency management recommendations.

Council has established a Get Involved webpage for this project and initial community consultation (including an online survey) was undertaken from Monday 31 July to Friday 25 August 2023. The objectives of this initial community consultation were to inform the community of the commencement of this study, seek information from the community on historic flood events to assist in the development and calibration of flood models, and seek input from the community on potential mitigation measures to be investigated as part of the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Worley has completed a draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study, and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan. Worley will provide a presentation on the draft Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan at the SFRMC meeting.

Internal Consultations

Internal consultation has been undertaken with Council’s Strategic Planning Department and City Services Directorate for this project.

External Consultations

External consultation has been undertaken with NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the NSW SES throughout this project. It is noted that NSW DCCEEW and NSW SES staff have attended monthly project meetings and reviewed all deliverables. The draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan reports all include feedback from NSW DCCEEW and the NSW SES.

Community Consultations

https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/willinga-lake-flood-study

A letter was sent to all property owners in the Willinga Lake catchment, nearby CCBs notified, posts disseminated via the Community Information Hubs and corflute signs were installed at key locations in the catchment.

A drop-in session was held on Wednesday 16 August 2023 at the Bawley Point Rural Fire Service (RFS). This drop-in session was attended by Council staff, local NSW SES volunteers, DCCEEW flood specialist and the consultants from Worley.

Public exhibition is currently being planned for Monday 27 January to Sunday 23 February 2024. The community will be notified by media release, letters to landowners, Community Information Hubs and corflute signs. A drop-in session will be held at the Bawley Point RFS in February, and this is currently being planned.

The draft Willinga Lake Flood Study, draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan will be finalised based on community feedback. The outcomes of the public exhibition will be presented to the SFRMC seeking endorsement for the final deliverables to be adopted by Council.

Policy Implications

This investigation is being prepared in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy (2023), and the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023). The outcomes of this investigation will be used to assess proposed development against Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014 and Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014.

Financial Implications

This project is fully funded from the Australian Government's Preparing Australian Communities Program – Local Stream. This project needs to be completed by no later than 31 March 2025. Any project costs after this date would need to be covered by Council. It may also impact Council’s ability to claim costs incurred to date as failing to deliver on time would be a breach of the grant agreement.

Risk Implications

The Willinga Lake Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan have investigated flood risk and potential mitigation measures for implementation by Council. This information allows Council to undertake risk-based flood risk management decisions in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy (2023) and NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023).

These flood investigations have been prepared in accordance with the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023). Section 733 of the Local Government Act 1993 provides local councils and statutory bodies representing the Crown, and their employees, with a limited legal indemnity for certain advice given, or things done or not done, relating to the likelihood of flooding or the extent of flooding. The Act also provides that a council that acts in accordance with the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual relating to the management of flood liable land is taken to have acted in good faith in relation to advice given, or things done or not done, relating to the likelihood of flooding or the extent of flooding.

The flood information prepared as part of this flood investigation will be invaluable for the NSW SES for flood event response in the Willinga Lake catchment.