Floodplain Risk Management across the Moree Plains

Since May 2018, the Moree Plains Shire Floodplain Risk Management Committee (Committee) has been in place, with the Committee comprising representatives across the Shire. The Committee was formed to assist Moree Plains Shire Council (Council) in the development and implementation of floodplain risk management plans across the Shire.

Since its formation, the Committee has been meeting regularly. Floodplain Risk Management Plans take time to investigate, fund and implement which is why the value of the Committee cannot be underestimated.

While the Committee represents the whole of the Shire, in the lead up to Christmas 2020, the Committee is focussed on floodplain initiatives for Moree.

In October 2019, Council was successful in securing $137,000 from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for a feasibility study of the flood risk management plan recommended options contained in the Moree and Environs Floodplain Risk Management Plan (Plan), adopted by Council in May 2019. This study will allow the community, through Council and the Committee, to work through the recommendations.

Council has appointed consulting engineers Dryside Engineering (DSE) to undertake this work.

In coming weeks, DSE will be onsite in Moree to investigate a number of flood protection mechanisms including alterations to planning controls for high risk residential areas and the feasibility of raising a number of roads in town to facilitate safe evacuation prior to, and during, a flood. These investigations will involve onsite meetings with landowners, meetings of the Committee and a Community Workshop during the first week of December.

Mayor Katrina Humphries, who also chairs the Committee, noted that the Plan aims to benefit all community members and that Council will act based on the best technical information available.

“Moree is no stranger to floods; in 2011 and 2012 we experienced floods that displaced residents from all areas of Moree Plains Shire. The vicious cycle of droughts and flooding rains is a reality for our community and Council will strive to ensure our homes and businesses are prepared for this.

“The Committee are pleased to be moving forward with the feasibility study and associated investigations and welcome the opportunity to have input into that process. We also encourage community members to contribute to this process.

Council’s General Manager, Mr Lester Rodgers explained under the NSW Floodplain Development Manual 2005 Council is legally required to update its flood management and mitigation plan.

“We are currently in stage two of the process; this includes finalising the current plan and conducting a feasibility study to further investigate implementing a range of water management options included in its latest flood management plan.”

Once the feasibility study is completed Council will work together with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall to secure future funding to support any physical flood mitigation works which may include raising the northern approach to Dr Geoffrey Hunter Bridge on Balo Street and developing a helipad at Yarraman (both options canvassed in the Plan).

For more details in relation to Floodplain Risk Management in the Moree Plains