Central Coast Council has adopted the Northern Lakes Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, and the Davistown and Empire Bay Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Council’s Environment and Planning Director, Dr Alice Howe said these studies and plans recommend options to better manage existing and future flood risk.

“These studies and plans aim to build community resilience to flooding and include flood mitigation works, emergency management plans, flood warning processes, flood education programs, land use planning, and suitable design of infrastructure and buildings,” Dr Howe said.

“Extensive community consultation took place with residents and businesses within the areas subject to flooding between 2019-2022. The feedback received from community submissions was used to guide amendments to the final studies and plans.

“Adoption of these studies and plans is a prerequisite to further grant funding assistance to implement the recommended flood mitigation works and other measures.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that whilst this is a step in the right direction in better protecting our community from future flood risks, flood planning and management is a complex matter in different areas across the Central Coast.

“There are varying natural and environmental impacts across our region when it comes to flooding, which is why we made sure to address flood prone areas individually,” Mr Hart said.

“A good example is that Northern Lakes is impacted predominately by overland flooding, whilst the main flooding mechanisms affecting Davistown and Empire Bay area include storm surge, tidal inundation, and impacts of sea level rise.

“Council’s implementation of the recommendations of these plans is pending factors such as feasibility assessment and internal and external funding. This is a timely reminder to community members to understand their localised flood risks and potential impacts from severe weather events.

“As we continue to experience La Niña climate conditions which can bring above average rainfall, and severe and frequent storms, I encourage community members located in areas subject to flooding to plan now for future severe weather events. There are several resources available on Council’s website to help you plan and prepare.”

To find out more about floodplain management studies and plans, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com/floodplain.

For information and resources on preparing for storms, floods and other emergency events, go online to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/emergencies

ENDS