Local Knowledge Sought on Coffs Creek Flooding

Published on 06 December 2021

Feedback on what happens in flood events throughout the Coffs Creek catchment and its tributaries is being sought from residents, property-owners and businesses to help develop further mitigation measures beyond those already put in place in recent years.

“This consultation is part of the latest stage in the ongoing major review of the current Coffs Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan which dates from 2005,” said Sally Whitelaw, Council’s Team Leader Biodiversity, Coastal and Flooding.

“Data on flood behaviour since we completed the four major detention basins, plus modelling that includes the latest Australian Rainfall and Runoff information will also be part of this work. This is the third of the four stages in the Floodplain Risk Management Plan review process.

“The outcomes will be used to identify and prioritise further flood mitigation options across the catchment, provide updated flood intelligence for the SES and review the existing flood warning system.”

Previous studies have revealed that the detention basins are typically dropping flood levels by 200mm–600mm in sections of the mid to upper reaches of Coffs Creek and 200mm-400mm around the Coffs City Centre.

In addition, the 2018 Flood Study Model will be updated with the latest methodologies and terrain data for all flood extents, levels, depths, and velocities for the 1 in 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500-year flood events, as well as the PMF (Probable Maximum Flood) event.

Getting input from the community helps Council to work out flood risk associated with future development and changes in land use and to identify management strategies to minimise and mitigate the impact of flooding.

Some of the key areas to be investigated will include Bray Street, Antaries Avenue, Mackays Road, the Gundagai Street Bridge, Azalea Avenue, Combine Street, McLean Street and the City Centre.

Local property-owners, residents and businesses are being invited to participate in the Coffs Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (Review) by completing a short survey.

The survey is looking for feedback on flood damage, behaviour, location and length experienced by people living, working or owning property in the Coffs Creek catchment.

Photographs, recordings of flood depths or other relevant material that residents may have and would like to share would also be welcomed for the study.

The survey, further information and details on how to provide flood evidence, are available on Council’s Have Your Say website until 10 January 2022.

The resulting draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan will be placed on public exhibition for comment in due course.