As part of Wollongong City Council's ongoing work to improve flood risk management across the city, we're checking in with residents who live in the Hewitt's Creek catchment on the Draft Hewitt's Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP).
The draft FRMSP is now on public exhibition and looks at catchments primarily within the suburbs of Bulli and Thirroul and outlines the potential risks and impacts of floods on people, homes, roads, stormwater systems, parks, and other public spaces.
The draft document provides Council with a plan on how to mitigate these risks through future infrastructure, planning and development opportunities.
It's one of several studies Council carries out as part of a commitment to managing flood risk across our Local Government Area and will be followed later this year with public exhibition for the Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.
"Our community is well aware of the impacts flooding can have on homes and businesses," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"We live in a beautiful part of the world, but sitting between the ocean and the escarpment does make certain areas of our city vulnerable to flooding. It's important that this is considered in future planning for areas more vulnerable to flood impacts.
"That's why it is so important to continue to invest in long-term flood resilience. Carrying out these floodplain management studies and updating existing plans is vital to ensuring our flood mitigation infrastructure is best equipped to handle flooding incidents, and that flood modelling is reflective of current experiences, is thorough and accurate.
"Flood management is not something Council can tackle alone. Our residents are attuned to the risks faced in their communities and I encourage people within this catchment area to consider the options outlined in the draft plan and provide feedback to guide our approach moving forward."
Council's approach to floodplain risk management aligns NSW Government guidelines (NSW Flood Risk Management Framework) to reduce the impact of flooding on communities, and to consider the risks posed in certain areas of our LGA.
It is important that Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they provide the most up-to-date information.
Data from past flood events, advancing flood modelling techniques, and community feedback can all assist in providing a more accurate picture of the flood risk in certain areas, and the best ways to address existing and future flooding issues.
Some of the suggested flood mitigation measures within the draft Hewitts Creek FRMSP include drainage and flood modification works, vegetation management and debris control structures.
It also proposes measures to increase community awareness and education, including amending local flood plans, facilitating communication with emergency response agencies to improve flood warning mechanisms.
Community feedback will help finalise a prioritised plan of options to help reduce flood risk through better planning, emergency management, and construction of new or upgraded infrastructure.
The FRMSP is part of Council's broader approach to managing flood risk and flood response that requires collaboration with the community and all levels of government. With only 40 per cent of creeks within our LGA located on public land, private landowners have a huge role to play alongside Council in managing flood risk across our city.
"After the April 6 natural disaster in 2024, we spent time with residents in Thirroul and surrounding suburbs who were heavily impacted by this event to understand their experiences and gather information about the flood behaviour on that day,'' Cr Brown said.
"While this information has been incorporated into this updated Draft Hewitts Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, we also found a key learning from that date was the need to provide advice and support to residents on the management of creeks on private land.
"This engagement process provides us the opportunity to continue this vital conversation .''
Information and resources regarding flood risk and flood mitigation measures are available on Council's website: Flood Information | City of Wollongong
The draft Hewitts Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan is jointly funded by Council with a contribution from the NSW Government (DCCEEW) and is open for feedback from 25 August to 26 September. The full draft Study is available here , with residents able to view and provide feedback in a number of ways, including:
