Residents in flood affected areas encouraged to participate

Emergency response improvements, property modifications and flood mitigation measures are all measures Shellharbour City Council will consider when it undertakes a review of the Horsley Creek Floodplain Management Plan.
The study area includes Albion Park Rail and Oak Flats, which were affected by flooding in March 2011, March 2014 and March 2017. 

Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said that reducing impact of flooding on residents was a high priority for Council.

“Reviewing our floodplain management plans is extremely important. The property damage experienced in the 2011 flood was significant. We want to do everything we can to prepare for floods like this when they occur in the future so that the impacts to our community can be minimised,” Mayor Homer said.

“An important part of this proactive work is reviewing our comprehensive Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. As a community, we need to be well prepared and aware of potential consequences of flooding into the future”.

Mayor Homer said that Council was working with specialist flood consultants, Advisian, to update the flood modelling for the catchment area, as the area had undergone significant changes, such as the construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass. 

All residents within the Horsley Creek study area will soon receive a letter from Council announcing a comprehensive review of the plan.

The community is encouraged to participate in the preparation of the plan by visiting the project page on Council’s Let’s Chat page and completing an online survey. 

The feedback will be used to inform the plan, which identifies ways to manage flooding and its consequences in the long term. The project page is available at www.letschatshellharbour.com

The draft report is expected to be presented to Council’s Flood Risk Management Committee next year.

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008