Revisiting floodplain management in the north of the Byron Shire

Published on 13 October 2023

In 2022, flooding caused extensive damage to many properties in the north of the Byron Shire, especially in the Marshalls Creek catchment incorporating the areas of Ocean Shores, Billinudgel, New Brighton, and South Golden Beach. 

After the floods, Council was heavily criticised by some in the community for its approach to floodplain management.

With a grant from the Local Government Flood Recovery Fund, a joint initiative of the Australian and NSW Governments, specialist consultants JBP Pacific are undertaking a review of floodplain management with a specific focus on the north of the Byron Shire.

“Council’s North Byron Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2020) were developed in accordance with the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual and process for flood planning using best practice hydrology and hydraulic floodplain models,” James Flockton, Infrastructure Planning Coordinator, said.

“The current plan and all prior adopted plans and studies for the northern region will now be reviewed as part of this project,” Mr Flockton said.

“We need to make sure that the process followed and recommended measures for Council to implement for managing flood risk are based on best practice flood planning process and absolute best data to inform how we manage our floodplains which includes structural mitigation measures and future land use and development controls,” he said.

Mullumbimby, while extremely flood-prone, is not a part of this project because the pattern of flooding in the town is very different to those areas closer to the coast. 

Separate funding has been obtained to investigate flooding issues for other areas of the shire including Mullumbimby, Bangalow, Suffolk Park and updated Flood Risk Management Study and Plans for both Belongil and Tallows Creek catchments.  

“We know there are some very strong views in the north of the Shire relating to reducing flood risk such as ocean outfalls, dredging of creek systems, modification of the Brunswick River training walls and bund structures,” Mr Flockton said.

“While independent experts have not supported these as viable in the past, we feel that we need to revisit all relevant options investigated in the adopted North Byron Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2020). 

“This is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to put forward their views on floodplain management with all feedback to be handed to JBP for investigation and evaluation. 

“The information from this review will then be reported to Council’s Floodplain Management Advisory Committee for consideration and discussion before agreeing on what happens next. 

“The findings will be available to the community, and we will endeavour to work with residents to increase their understanding for floodplain management and how to be more prepared for future weather events,” Mr Flockton said.

People will have the opportunity of providing feedback and comments:

More information about the review of floodplain management including the survey is on Council’s website. 

The closing date for submissions is 17 November.

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