Understanding flooding in our LGA

Building on the completion of the Waverley Local Government Area (LGA) Flood Study, which was adopted in 2021, Waverley Council commenced the next step in the NSW Governments Flood Risk Management Framework in early 2024 - a Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) for the Waverley LGA .

The objective of this project is to refine the model across the LGA and explore and recommend flood mitigation options to reduce or alleviate detrimental impacts of flooding where possible.

This project has two parts.

The Flood Risk Management Study

To incorporate community knowledge of flooding and undertake ground testing onsite to further refine the Waverley LGA flood study, improving its accuracy and the confidence that the community has in the flood planning maps. To develop and assess flood risk mitigation measures to reduce or alleviate existing and future flood risks in our community.

The Flood Risk Management Plan

This part of the project focuses on recommending and prioritising flood risk mitigation measures, including documenting the decisions made to manage flood risks into the future. A list of recommended measures and their priority are detailed in the plan including how they would be implemented and who is responsible.

The study and plan are being prepared by independent flood consultant Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd (KBR) and urban planning consultant GLN Planning Pty Ltd. With joint support and funding from NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under their Floodplain Management Program.

This project is separate to previous recently completed projects including the Waverley LGA Flood Study 2021 and the amendment to the Waverley Development Control Plan 2022.

2017

  • Waverley Council started work on the Flood Study involving community feedback.
  • The study was completed in accordance with the NSW Floodplain Development Manual and NSW Flood Prone Land Policy.

2020

  • Study released for public exhibition.

2021

  • Waverley Council adopted the Waverley LGA Flood Study.
  • Council developed proposed amendments to Waverley Council’s Development Control Plan.

2022

  • Proposed changes to Waverley Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) exhibited.
  • Low, medium and high-risk areas were identified.

2024

  • Council engaged a consultant to start the Flood Flood Risk Management Study & Plan in February 2024.
  • DCP amendment adopted in March 2024

For more information on flood management see the flood management pages on Council's website.

Definition of a flood

Flooding results from relatively high stream flow that overtops the natural or artificial banks in any part of a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam, and/or local overland flowpaths associated with major drainage, and/or oceanic inundation resulting from super-elevated ocean levels.

What is mainstream flooding?

Mainstream flooding is water that overtops the natural or artificial banks in any part of a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam..

What is overland flooding?

Local overland flooding is inundation by local run-off on its way to a waterway, rather than overbank flow from a waterway. Overland flooding typically occurs during rainfall events where drainage systems reach capacity and excess water flows over land.

What is stormwater?

When rainwater comes into contact with surfaces such as roofs, paved areas such as roads, gardens, and other open spaces, it becomes stormwater.

Refer to FAQ in Document Library for more information

The Flood Risk Management Study and Plan will have three stages of consultation during the delivery of the project.

Stage 1
  • June - July 2024: Complete
Stage 2
  • Dates to be confirmed: Flood mitigation consultation.
Stage 3
  • Dates to be scheduled: Public exhibition of the draft Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.

Stage 1 - Consultation

From June 11 to July 15, 2024 Waverley Council held a community consultation for part one of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.

Residents and property owners were asked to supply information, images and video relating to flooding they had experienced, either at their home or in other areas of Waverley. It was organised LGA-wide, focussing on the collection of data via Council’s Have Your Say (HYS) website.

Eighty-two submissions were received via the website, as well as 51 emails to the project team. Ten people attended Have Your Say face-to-face pop-ups across the LGA.

The Community Consultation Report can be found in the document library on this webpage.

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