Community input sought on draft Merimbula floodplain risk study and plan

2 November 2020

Bega Valley Shire Council is calling for community input and comment as part of the finalisation of the draft Merimbula Lake and Back Lake Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Once finalised, the documents will be presented to Councillors for consideration and endorsement as the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for the relevant catchments.

Submissions can be made in person, online, by email or by mail.

Two COVIDSafe Community Information Sessions are being held at the Bega Valley Regional Learning Centre in Merimbula in November. Registrations are not required however, social distancing requirements limit venue attendance to 20 people at any one time including staff.

Council’s Civil Assets Superintendent, Gary Louie says the proposed flood management measures and strategies in the draft plan include a mixture of flood culvert installations and road upgrades; building and development controls for future development on flood prone land, and emergency response measures.

“The plan falls under the State Government’s Floodplain Risk Management program designed to eliminate the ad-hoc decision-making process which can contribute to present day flooding problems.”

Mr Louie said letters had been sent to local residents informing them of the information sessions and the chance to comment.

The public exhibition period runs from Saturday 31 October through to Sunday 29 November 2020.

For more information on the draft Merimbula Lake and Back Lake Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan go to the Project page and Have Your Say webpage.