The FWSR is a recommended action arising from the 2022 Federation Villages Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P).
A number of options to improve flood warnings for the villages of Boree Creek, Morundah, Rand and Urana were contained in a report to Federation Council by council director Susan Appleyard – involving results of a multi criteria assessment (MCA) and advice received from the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
Prepared by Water Technology, the review outlines actions to the relevant authorities and budget consideration for 2025/2026.
The FWSR project commenced in July 2023. Council engaged consultants Water Technology to undertake the project following an open tender process.
At its May 2024 meeting, council endorsed the exhibition of the draft review. Community engagement was undertaken in the form of information meetings conducted in each of the townships August 2023. The meetings provided an opportunity for local residents to suggest ways to improve the existing flood warning system.
No submissions were received during this year’s exhibition period of the review report. “That’s because the review’s been going on for 12 years,” Cr David Fahey OAM said at council’s latest monthly meeting on August 27. “Everyone knew what was going on. We’ve been fully informed the whole time.”
“It’s sad after 12 years we haven’t got any funding to do any remediation work but hopefully there will be in our next budget or future budgets. A lot of local knowledge went into the study. A lot of great work was done.”
Cr Sally Hughes mentioned the 2012 floods where locals relied on each other and asked questions following the review.
In particular she enquired about improved working relationships with regional and local SES organisations, the Bureau of Meteorology and council, especially with the high proportion of elderly people requiring assistance and prior preparation.
Ms Appleyard advised that council’s new documentation was reviewed and endorsed by the BoM and the SES. “This document will also inform our emergency management plan in how to work with these agencies to improve warning systems. It’s a huge step forward,” she said.
Cr David Longley said the 57-page review documentation tabled at council’s latest meeting contains “very detailed information for future plans”, adding: “It’s fantastic.”
Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler expressed his thanks to Ms Appleyard, council project officer Trevor Clark and Water Technology for producing “a really strong step forward” – a situation he said affects everyone along the Murray River.
Special praise for the four communities was delivered by Ms Appleyard. “The four communities involved in this review are incredibly resilient. The way they’ve come forward with information has been excellent – I’ve never worked with anyone like that.”
Mayor Pat Bourke recalled the situation in 2012 where a lot was achieved with some nine helicopters assisting in the “ample help” at the time. “But I can see how this system will help much further,” he said.
Several reasons were mentioned by the mayor as to the lengthy review time, including the passing away of a key person driving the review, Covid 19 and subsequent floods.
