Council has commenced the Wingecarribee River Floodplain Study with financial and technical assistance provided by the NSW Government.

Wingecarribee Shire Council is calling on residents living near Wingecarribee River to provide information on past flood behaviour as part of a major study designed to better prepare for future flood events.

Council has engaged WMAwater Pty Ltd to undertake a review of the Wingecarribee River Flood Study from Wingecarribee Dam to Wallaby Rocks near Berrima. This is a review of the original flood study that was completed in 2014. The purpose of this new study is to review flooding impacts based on the latest planning guidelines that reflect industry best practice and updated rainfall data.

The study will provide updated information that Council can use to make informed decisions in relation to trunk drainage provisions, development assessments, changes in the LEP and DCP, as well as inform SES planning and response.

The flood study is currently in its inception stage where the consultants are collecting and collating data on flooding and the catchment area. This data will be essential in the development of flood models and that will enable Council to better understand flood risks and manage future development in the floodplain.

To assist in gathering meaningful data residents are encouraged to complete a questionnaire and submit information or photos to wrfs@wmawater.com.au by 12 June 2020. Residents in the identified localities will receive a hard copy of the questionnaire along with a reply-paid envelope from May 2020. However, residents are encouraged to do the survey online from the website https://wrfs.wmawater.com.au/.

If you submitted information in the previous 2014 study, you are encouraged to resubmit this information as well as any new information that you have.

For more information on the project visit wrfs.wmawater.com.au or WMAwater’s Technical Director, Mr Rhys Hardwick-Jones, on phone 9299 2855.

Alternatively contact Council’s Floodplain Engineer on 02 4868 0888.

Council will consult further when the draft report is ready for public exhibition later in the year.