Communities in the NSW Murray Valley and Billabong Creek floodplains will benefit from streamlined assessments and determinations of applications for flood work approvals with the introduction of the new NSW Murray Valley Floodplain Management Plan and Billabong Creek Floodplain Management Plan.
For landholders, the new floodplain management plans simplify the flood work approval process, offering clearer guidance and a consistent approach to both new applications and amendments to existing approvals.
By replacing five historical plans in the Murray Valley and one plan in Billabong Creek, the two new plans establish coordinated, whole-of-valley approaches to floodplain management in the associated declared floodplains.
The NSW Murray Valley Floodplain Management Plan includes communities from Tocumwal to just below the junction with the Murrumbidgee River, while the Billabong Creek Floodplain Management Plan covers Walbundrie to Moulamein.
Using the latest hydraulic modelling and community feedback, the plans will balance the needs of communities, landholders, and the environment, while safeguarding cultural and heritage sites.
Two rounds of public consultation for each plan attracted submissions and feedback from a broad range of groups. Key issues raised across both areas including mapping accuracy, impact on existing and historical flood works, and rules and assessment criteria were used to refine the final plans.
Both new plans will be in effect until July 2036, giving landholders certainty for the next decade when lodging new and amended flood work approval applications.
There are currently several NSW Government projects in progress throughout the region, all serving different purposes. The floodplain management plans are unrelated to the Reconnecting River Country Program, which focuses on removing barriers to environmental water delivery.
