New South Wales's MidCoast Council has been awarded a $168,400 grant to help better understand and manage flood risk in the local government area.
The council will be funding two important projects with the grant: a Taree CBD levee feasibility study and heritage impact assessment, and a Croakers Creek flood gate upgrade.
Receiving $82,000, the Taree CBD levee feasibility study and heritage impact assessment will look into constructing a levee to protect the Taree central business district against a 1% annual exceedance probability flood event.
This feasibility study is set to examine various levee options and consider heritage, socio-economic and environmental factors, flood impacts and community acceptance.
The balance of $86,400 will fund upgrades to the Croakers Creek flood gate, which was constructed in the late 1920s and has exceeded its design life.
The flood gate requires an upgrade to provide flood mitigation to the area to reduce the impacts of existing flooding, flood liability on communities, as well as private and public losses resulting from floods.
Floodplain management grants
The grant is part of the Floodplain Management Program, which has helped fund projects for 37 councils throughout NSW.
The grants help with flood risk management studies, as well as the implementation of works to reduce risks such as flood levees, flood gates, warning systems, house raising or purchase in high risk areas.
by Cecilia Harris
