Floodplain management
Climate control
Wet weather in early 2012 hit Sydney hard. The resulting floods caused considerable damage to public and private property and some people had to be rescued from their cars.
Plans need to be put in place to safeguard flood-prone areas from this kind of weather. It is also a legal requirement for councils to address flooding issues.
Floodplain management plans are being put together for areas most at risk of flooding that will look at the causes and extent of possible flooding and what can be done to help affected areas.
Reducing the risk of future flooding means managing flood-prone areas properly with responsible development and drainage infrastructure.
The public is invited to view and comment on the draft plans when they are presented for exhibition. The City publishes the dates for public exhibitions and welcomes feedback from the local community.
Work recommended by the plans could involve:
- refurbishing stormwater pipes and channels
- improving drainage flow paths
- creating channels to direct floodwater away from homes.
Here are the major areas currently being examined.
Alexandra Canal
The City is preparing a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for the Alexandra Canal Catchment area and we would like your help.
The study will tell us about the type of flood mitigation solutions feasible for the catchment and help us plan for and manage any flood risks.
Have your say: We want your comments about previous flood experiences and potential mitigation options. The local knowledge of residents and business operators, including your personal experiences of flooding is a valuable source of information.
The information you provide in the below questionnaire will help the City determine how to manage floods in your area.
Alexandra Canal Risk Management Study and Plan survey
Blackwattle Bay
The area considered for this study includes Glebe, Chippendale, Darlington and parts of Camperdown, Ultimo and Redfern. The areas include a mix of residential, commercial, industrial and parklands and are spread over 315 hectares.
Centennial Park
Covering 153 hectares that includes parts of Paddington, Moore Park and Centennial Park, the catchment study will help determine the types of flooding issues in the area to manage any potential risk. Sydney Water is a partner for the project and it will be completed by March 2013.
Green Square – West Kensington
A joint flood management plan with Randwick City Council, this area spans approximately 250 hectares from west Kensington to the head of Alexandria Canal.
Johnstons Creek
This flood management plan includes the suburbs of Annandale, Camperdown, Forest Lodge and parts of Glebe and Newtown. The overall area is approximately 224 hectares and the land uses are a mix of residential, commercial, industrial and parklands.
Rushcutters Bay
A mix of residential, commercial and industrial properties exist within this area. Flooding has caused property damage in the past and been a threat to residents living close to drainage channels. The area is 240 hectares in size, with the City directly responsible for 64 hectares. Paddington, Darlinghurst, Edgecliff and Rushcutters Bay are included in the plan. The study will be completed in March 2013.
Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour
The Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour catchments include the suburbs of Millers Point, Dawes Point, The Rocks, Sydney, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Haymarket and Surry Hills. The overall catchment areas total about 506 hectares lying within the local area. Land uses within the catchments include residential, commercial and industrial properties as well as parklands.
Can you please help us? We want your comments about previous flood experiences. The local knowledge of residents and business operators and any personal experiences of flooding are an important source of information. We are especially interested in historical records of flooding such as photographs, flood marks or observations that residents may have. This information will help the City better understand how floods happen in the catchments and lead to better management of flood hazards. Please complete the questionnaire
below.
Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour Flood Study
Woolloomooloo
Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Potts Point and parts of Rushcutters Bay are suburbs included in this catchment area study, which covers an area of 265 hectares. The City is working with Sydney Water for the study. March 2013 has been marked as the deadline.
Contacts
Myl Senthilvasan
Senior engineer: Drainage and environment
02 9246 722302 9265 9660msenthilvasan@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Last updated: Friday, 10 May 2013