Under NSW planning laws, Councils manage local flood planning. A Flood Review Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) was last prepared for Bowral in 2009. Since then, multiple flood events have occurred including such as the July 2016 and March 2022 events.

This along with new developments within the catchment and updated flood analysis standards have necessitated a review of the FRMS&P using more contemporary methods.

The following list of flood risk management options are examples of the types of strategies that will be considered to reduce flood risk to the community:

A flood study is a comprehensive technical investigation of flood behaviour. It defines the nature of flood risk by providing information on the extent, level and velocity of floodwaters.

Flood levels and information must be continually reviewed due to evolving environmental conditions, advancements in modelling techniques, and changes in infrastructure and development.

Regular review ensures accurate predictions, effective emergency planning, and informed decision-making to safeguard communities from flood risks.

Flood behaviour, including flood levels, velocities and hazard is calculated using detailed computer models to simulate floods of varying magnitudes. These models may be reviewed periodically when:

• new data becomes available from new flood events
• flood mitigation works are undertaken
• developments occur, and
• more advanced computer models become available.

In 2023 the New South Wales Government gazetted the updated Flood risk management manual which outlined the required method for councils to manage flood liable land. A key objective in this manual is to undertake flood studies for appropriate catchments to provide detailed information on flood behaviour.

If your property is flood affected and you require flood levels and velocities for your property, you can submit a request for flood level information to Council. Council will then provide you with property specific flood information letter that can be used to manage your risk and inform the design of your development proposal.

No, the Bowral South New Living Area (BSNLA) is in the Wingecarribee River Flood catchment – which is separate to the Bowral Floodplain (which is primarily the Mittagong Rivulet catchment).

Flooding constraints of the BSNLA will be considered through a Flood Impact Risk Assessment (FIRA) being prepared by Maker ENG as part of the overall BSNLA Servicing Strategy.

Council owns and manages a significant number of stormwater pits, pipes, channels, culverts, basins and Gross Pollutant traps throughout the shire and we are committed to maintaining this infrastructure within the limits that current funding and resources permit.

Council has an annual budget for cleaning and maintaining this infrastructure, as well as a budget for Capital Works (upgrading and building new infrastructure). All works are scheduled on a priority basis, where those works that are most critical become highest priority.

Although the impact of vegetation on flood behaviour is very important, vegetation has an essential function in managing erosion and providing habitat to wildlife.

Unless identified within an adopted Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, the flood impacts associated with the removal of vegetation from creeks and waterways is relatively unknown. For example, carrying out such works may have little to no benefit in reducing flood risks.

Alternatively, such works could reduce the flood risks in one area, whilst increase it in other areas. These issues are considered in the context of a Floodplain Risk Management Study.