Remembering the 1998 Floods – 20 years on

This week marks 20 years since Wollongong experienced devastating floods which became a milestone moment in our City’s history.

It was a wet Monday afternoon when a severe weather cell dumped more than 250 mm of rain on ground that was already saturated from days of intense rainfall.

The downpour hit its peak at around 6.30pm, just as many residents were trying to get home from work or other afterschool activities. Homes between Figtree and Thirroul were worst hit by the storm.

All up, more than 1,000 homes were damaged by the floodwaters that pushed huge boulders down the escarpment, carried a VW combi out to sea and disrupted road and rail services.

“This was one of those afternoons and nights that made its way into local folklore,’’ Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“But it’s so much more than a dinner party story. It was a tragic night – there was a loss of life. And it was a turning point for Council and in the way we manage the infrastructure that directs rainfall, and where properties should be built.’’

Since 1998, Council has spent more than $40 million with the support of Federal and State Governments on flood mitigation projects, flood studies, designs and the voluntary acquisition of some flood-affected homes.

Plus, we are continuing to invest in this area with Council planning to spend a further $24.7 million over the next four years on stormwater, capital and flood management and a further $9 million on storm water and flood operations and maintenance.

“Since 1998 we have made some major inroads in making our City safer from flood waters,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“I want to be clear – we are not able to prevent floods from happening. They’re a consequence of the beautiful natural environment we live in where we have a steep escarpment to the west, a relatively thin strip of coastline and then the sea to the east.

“What we’ve been working to do is use the knowledge and research of the best flood experts in the game – many of whom live in our City and work for Council – to develop mechanisms that will reduce the risk to life and property when the next storm like this strikes.’’

The Cabbage Tree Catchment was one of the worst affected in the 1998 floods. The catchment runs down the escarpment at the back of Balgownie, through Fairy Meadow and out to sea at Puckey’s Lagoon.

To reduce the risk we’ve built a detention basin off Brokers Road that acts like a bathtub for runoff coming from the escarpment. As it fills, the water is slowed down and temporarily stored to reduce the flooding impacts downstream.

It was from here that the water that flooded Anama Street in Fairy Meadow originated. Anama Street is now parkland, with Council, supported by funding from the Federal and State Governments, purchasing back the badly flood-affected properties.

“There are some disturbing stories about how the flood happened so quickly in this street 20 years ago,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“We couldn’t allow that to happen again. By acquiring these properties and turning it into open space, we’re mitigating the risk as best we can.’’

But while Council continues to try and reduce flood risk across our Local Government Area, we cannot prevent floods.

“As we mark this anniversary I want people to remember that floods like ‘98 can happen again,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“And this time, depending on where the rain falls, how the flood water behaves and what objects might block its path, we might find different areas and different catchments affected. That’s why we are continuing to invest significant money into this infrastructure.’’

For more information, you can contact Council’s Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111 or visit our website.

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