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Tweed Shire Council will host a series of information sessions in coming weeks to seek vital community input as part of plans to complete the final phase of the Tweed Valley Flood Study.
The final study will be used to update the Tweed Valley Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2014 – Council’s key strategy document for managing flood risk in the Tweed Valley, including flood risk planning, development controls and emergency management.
Director Engineering David Oxenham said valuable insights had already been integrated into the study following initial community consultation in 2021. Council was now urging residents to review and provide feedback on the draft report before a final version of the updated and expanded study is put to a Council meeting for adoption.
“We're seeking feedback on the draft flood study to ensure it aligns with the community's understanding of flooding in the valley,” Mr Oxenham said.
“This call for community engagement is not a repetition of the initial consultation. Instead, it is a specific request for feedback to support finalising the comprehensive draft report.
“The study covers the entire Tweed Valley and the draft report, currently on public exhibition until Sunday 17 March 2024, reflects the collective knowledge and experiences of the community.
“These sessions are designed to provide clarity and facilitate a better understanding of the draft report. The community will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insights to fully understand the draft study.”
Afternoon face-to-face information sessions, from 4 pm to 6 pm, will be held as follows:
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Tyalgum – Tyalgum Community Hall – Monday 19 February
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Uki – Holy Trinity Church – Wednesday 21 February
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Chillingham – Chillingham Community Hall – Thursday 22 February
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Murwillumbah – Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium – Monday 26 February
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Chinderah – Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club – Tuesday 27 February
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Tweed Heads – South Sea Islander Room, Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre – Wednesday 28 February.
For those unable to attend the face-to-face sessions, there will be an online session at 5 pm on Thursday 7 March 2024.
To review the draft report, register to attend information sessions, or for more information about the project, please visit yoursaytweed.com.au/flood study.
What is a flood study?
A flood study is a comprehensive technical investigation of flood behaviour within a catchment, in this case, the Tweed Valley. It defines the nature of flood hazards across the floodplain, providing information on the extent, level and velocity of floodwaters and the distribution of flood flows.
Mr Oxenham said the Tweed Valley Flood Study incorporates the most recent data available, including the 2017 and 2022 flood events.
“The study simulates a broad range of 'design' flood events, from very minor or frequent floods to extreme or very rare floods and future climate change scenarios,” he said.
“The study outputs include extensive mapping for each event, such as peak levels, depth, velocity, depth times velocity, hazard and hydraulic categories.
“These maps define flooding characteristics across the floodplain and are crucial for flood risk planning, development controls and emergency management.”
Under the NSW Flood Risk Management framework, a flood study only quantifies flooding, it does not evaluate options to mitigate flood risk. The Tweed Valley Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2014 remains Council's adopted strategy for managing flood risk in the valley, with updates anticipated following the completion of this flood study.
For more information about the project and to register for one of the community information sessions, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/flood-study.
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