Have Your Say on a flood warning system for Bega and Brogo floodplains

Have Your Say on a flood warning system for Bega and Brogo floodplains

Bega Valley Shire Council is taking the next step in its Bega and Brogo Rivers Floodplain Risk Management process, asking the community for input on the design of a proposed flood warning system.

Water engineers, Cardno, have been engaged by Council to undertake a feasibility study for a Total Flood Warning System (TFWS) which will help residents of Bemboka, Wolumla, Candelo, Bega, Tarraganda, Kalaru, Tathra, Mogareeka and the surrounding areas prepare for and respond to future floods.

Council’s Civil Assets Superintendent, Gary Louie, said the feasibility study will include consultation with residents and a review of available and emerging flood warning technology.

“Our aim is to develop a fit-for-purpose flood warning system tailored to the different needs of each community in the study area.” Mr Louie said.

“This project follows on from the 2018 Bega and Brogo Rivers Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan which recommended investigating a flood warning system for the Bega and Brogo River study area.

“We want to hear from people who have experienced local flood events, together with those who may be newer to the area, to help us design an efficient delivery system for flood warnings in each of these communities,” Mr Louie said.

Council has received partial funding for the study from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment under its Floodplain Management Program.

Total Flood Warning Systems can include a number of components that must be integrated for the system to operate effectively. These include monitoring and prediction, interpretation, message construction, communication, protective behaviour and review.

Cardno is currently working with Council through the community consultation phase of the project, which includes an online survey (open until 10 January 2021) through Council’s Have Your Say webpage and COVIDSafe drop-in information sessions in three locations.

· Session 1: Monday 7 December 2020 – 3.30pm – 6.00pm, Club Bega

· Session 2: Tuesday 8 December 2020 – 3.30 – 6.00pm, Candelo Hall

· Session 3: Wednesday 9 December 2020 – 3.30pm – 5.30pm, Tathra Hall

Registrations are not required for the information sessions, however the number of people in each venue at any one time will be managed in a COVIDSafe manner.

Source: Bega Valley Shire Council