TIMELY State Government flood management grants to Coffs Harbour Council “will help the council better understand and manage local flood risk and exposure” in the region according to Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh.

Totalling almost $2 million and awarded under the 2021-22 Floodplain Management Program, the announcement of the grants predated by days the record rainfalls along the NSW Mid North and North Coasts this past week.

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“Each year Councils can apply for grants through the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management Program to fund important projects to assess and understand flood risk and help reduce flood impacts on their local communities,” Mr Singh said.

“This is a continuation of the NSW Government’s investment to support councils, which have the primary role of managing flood risk in their communities.”

Mr Singh’s office said the Coffs region funding was specifically aimed at North Boambee Valley Detention Basin ($1,802,668) plus significantly smaller grants for a Moonee Creek Flood Study Review ($60,000) and a planned upgrade to the Coffs Harbour City Council Flash Flood Warning System ($50,000).

The Boambee plan, which will not completely alleviate flood risk, will reduce flood damages in the future and improve accessibility during flood events to and from the hospital while the Moonee Creek study review aims to “better understand flood behaviour in the catchment” through detailed flood modelling and mapping.

Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos said, “Reducing the flood risk to homes, businesses and key facilities like the hospital has been a long-term focus for Coffs Harbour City Council and this latest round of grants will help us continue that work in south Coffs and at Moonee.

“The detention basins that serve Coffs Creek have been shown to reduce flooding by 200mm-400mm around the city centre and the modelling done for the North Boambee Valley Detention Basin reveals similarly positive results for the North Isles Drive, Hospital and Cook Drive industrial areas,” Mr Amos said.

“The Flood Warning system has also proved to be extremely valuable to the SES and Council during storms and this upgrade – which includes an opt-in service for residents – will make it even more effective.”

By Paul FOGARTY