Council adopt Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan

Published on 08 June 2023

The Narrabri Shire Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee (the Committee) comprises representatives from across the Shire and is tasked in assisting Council in the development and implementation of Floodplain Risk Management Plans for Narrabri Shire Council’s Local Government Area. The Committee was established in accordance with the NSW Government's ‘Flood Prone Land Policy’ and the ‘Floodplain Development Manual (2005)’ prepared to guide councils in achieving sound Floodplain Risk Management outcomes by formulating and implementing management plans through the Floodplain Risk Management process.

Since its formation, the Committee has been meeting regularly and has been instrumental in assisting Council across multiple flood study projects. Floodplain Risk Management Plans take time to investigate, fund, and implement which is why the value of the Committee cannot be underestimated.

While the Committee represents the whole Shire, it has been most recently focusing on floodplain initiatives for the Narrabri township.

In January 2018, Council was successful in obtaining $130,000.00 from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment for the development of a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for Narrabri (the Plan). In 2018 Council appointed an independent hydraulic engineer to undertake this work.

Approval of the Plan has been in the works ever since with the draft Plan endorsed to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 60 days, at the September 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting. Council appreciates all those who took time to provide feedback and attend public sessions on the Plan. All feedback was considered in detail as part of the finalisation of the Plan.

This public exhibition period has now concluded, and the Plan was subsequently adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, 23 May 2023.

The implementation of the risk management study and Plan will benefit the community living on a floodplain.

The next steps in the Floodplain Management Program for floodplain risk management in Narrabri is to investigate the recommendations made in the Plan and further review and implement strategic planning controls to flood affected areas (with prioritisation of high and medium flood risk areas). It is important to note that any changes to Council’s planning instruments is subject to both the approval of Council and will follow further consultation the community. For more information on the recommendations see page 103 of the Plan or contact Council’s Manager Planning and Development Michelle Henry on 02 6799 6866 or by emailing council@narrabri.nsw.gov.au.