|
What is the Floodplain Risk Managment Plan & Study?
The City of Ryde has commenced a strategic program of developing floodplain management plans for the Ryde Local Government Area. The Macquarie Park study area includes the Mars Creek, Shrimpton’s Creek, Industrial Creek, Porter’s Creek and Lane Cove stormwater catchments. Parts of these catchments have a history of flooding, with the most recent flood events being in 1984 and 1990. The 1984 flood was approximately a one in 20 year flood. More than 187 houses and businesses were affected in this event.
Because floods similar to the 1984 and 1990 events or even bigger floods could occur in the future, Council is currently assessing the flood risks and investigating means to reduce these risks as much as is possible. It has commissioned specialist flooding consultants to study the problem and has formed a Floodplain Management Committee to oversee the process. This committee is comprised of Councillors, local residents and representatives from various State Government agencies including the State Emergency Service and the Department of Environment & Climate Change.
Bewsher Consulting, a local firm of flood risk management specialists, has been engaged to carry out the study under the direction of Council’s Floodplain Risk Management Committee. The Committee is comprised of local community representatives in addition to officers from Council, the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) and the State Emergency Service.
What is the Flood Model?
An important step in the study is the development of a computer model to simulate flood behaviour throughout the study area. The model has been used to simulate the November 1984 and February 1990 flood events in order to check the veracity of the model and to fine-tune the model where necessary. The model will then be used to simulate flood behaviour in events that might occur one day, such as the 100 year flood. The model will also be used to test various options to reduce flooding which Council’s Floodplain Management Committee are considering.
What can you do?
A public exhibition of the Flood Model results was held in June/July 2009. Feedback was invited from those who witnessed the November 1984 and February 1990 floods first-hand in order to assess whether the modelled behaviour reflects the depths and extent of flooding that was actually experienced.
Please note: The opportunity for public comment on the Flood Model Results below closed on 10 July 2009.
Over the next six months we will be investigating ways of reducing and/or managing flood impacts within the Macquarie Park study area. At that time there will be another opportunity to comment on the options.
View the Flood Model Results
More information
If you have any questions about the process or would like further information, please do not hesitate in contacting:
- City of Ryde Customer Service Centre on 9952 8222.
- Bewsher Consulting on 9868 1966.
|
