Local Knowledge Sought for Moonee Flood Study
Published on 20 March 2023
Lived experience and knowledge of flooding events in the Moonee Creek catchment is now being sought from locals for a new Flood Study.
The Flood Study is the first stage of a floodplain management process that will cover the localities of Moonee Beach, Sapphire Beach and the parts of Emerald Beach in the Moonee Creek catchment. Its goal is to provide detailed mapping so that the City will have an even better understanding of potential flood risks to assist with future development, planning, community education and flood mitigation works.
This will help to ensure that future construction and development minimises any potential flood impacts and protects the safety and well-being of the community, making it more resilient.
“Locals – however long they’ve lived there - are our best source of data as they are the best-placed to notice the behaviour of the creek in rain events and may have photographs or other useful information. So we’d very much like to hear from them so we can develop the clearest possible picture of how the creek operates in times of extreme weather,” said Chris Chapman, the City’s Director Sustainable Communities.
“For this first stage of the process, we’re inviting people to take an online survey, fill in a hard copy version, or come along to a pop-up session with City staff and consultants at Moonee Market on 1 April.”
Local property-owners, residents and businesses are all being invited to participate in the Moonee Creek Flood Study by completing the survey. It seeks information on flood damage, behaviour, location and length experienced by property-owners or tenants in the Moonee Creek catchment area.
Photographs, recordings of flood depths or other relevant material that residents may have and would like to share would also be welcomed for the study.
The survey, and more information on the project, is available on Council’s Have Your Say website –haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/moonee-creek-flood-study The survey is open until 28 April 2023.
Everyone is also invited to attend a pop-up session with City staff and consultants at Moonee Market Shopping Centre in Moonee on 1 April 2023 from 10am-1pm outside Coles supermarket.
The project is being conducted with specialist flood consultants JBPacific. They will be working closely with the City, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and the NSW State Emergency Service.