Work to repair and stabilise Cooma's four flood levees starts Monday 31 August 2026. The joint NSW Public Works and Council project will make the region's largest town safer and more resilient to storms and floods.
A condition assessment of the levees in 2024 found multiple problems that need to be fixed. This project will restore the levees so they can keep protecting Cooma from floods and storms.
The first stage of the project is to remove trees and bushes that are growing on or right next to the levees. If left in place, these plants and their roots would make the levees weaker and put Cooma at greater risk of flood and storm damage.
Levee sections near Cooma Rotary Oval are where most trees and shrub removals will occur. A small number of plants will be removed in other levee areas as well. Council is putting signs up to explain the project and why these plants need to be removed.
Council will work with Landcare and other community groups to facilitate new native plantings once all project work is complete.
Project goals
- Repair or replacement of 17 floodgates and a stormwater culvert
- Levee wall concrete repairs
- Repairs to weak parts of earthen levees
- Removal of trees and bushes growing too close to the levees, affecting stability
These works will reduce the risk of levee failure during heavy rain and floods.
NSW Public Works is managing the project with support from Council. Brown Environmental Earthworks and Planning (BEEP) are the project contractor.
Public Works and Council have been working with Landcare, Lions and Rotary Clubs, Waterwatch, the LAOKO wildlife rescue and rehab group and other creek stakeholders ahead of work getting underway.
NSW Public Works will contact adjoining landowners directly before work begins near their properties. Council will issue regular progress updates in the months ahead.
This project is funded by the NSW Government's Emergency Response Fund Levee Assessment and Improvement Program, part of the Flood Levee Repair Program.
