Climate Change State of Play in Australia 2022: it's later than you think

According to a Nature Communications article published on 15 November 2022; The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the strongest and most consequential year-to-year climate fluctuation on the planet, with significant societal and environmental impacts that are felt worldwide. 

This is an Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) video explaining how the El Niño-Southern Oscillation Index (ENSO) shapes Australia's weather.

As for current ENSO conditions. BOM states that La Niña retains its strength and continues in the tropical Pacific. Atmospheric and oceanic indicators of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) reflect a mature La Niña, including tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and tropical cloud patterns.

Its forecast for La Niña is that by December 2022 it will have weakened as ENSO begins a return to its neutral position. However, as the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is positive and likely to continue to be positive into December, this increases the chance of above average rainfall for parts of eastern New South Wales, eastern Victoria, and south-eastern Queensland, and increases the chance of below average rainfall for western Tasmania. 

Climatologists have known for some time that the ENSO has developed greater strength since the 1950s in comparison to past centuries, supporting an emerging increase in ENSO variability under greenhouse warming.

New research is disclosing why it is that to our layman's eyes this system may become more erratic and harder to predict in its response to climate change-induced ocean warming that continues unabated.  

This research has found the influence of climate change on El Niño and La Niña events, in the form of ocean surface temperature changes in the eastern Pacific, will be detectable by 2030. This is four decades earlier than previously thought. 

What this indicates for Australia is more droughts, more floods and more intense cyclones over a wider area. 

That in all probability, all three tiers of government - and communities both large and small across the country -  have less than eight years to prepare for a worsening of the climatic extremes we have already begun to experience since the start of the new millennium.

Three years and seven months after making the commitment, Perrottet Government reluctant to transfer responsibility for 15,000km of regional roads back to state now many of these roads are wracked by flood damage?

 

Clarence Valley Independent, 4 November 2022:

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway has been forced to admit that not one single kilometre of a promised 15,000 kilometres of regional roads has been transferred from local councils to State ownership.

Under questioning by John Graham MLC during a recent Budget Estimates hearing, Minister Farraway could not bring himself to say the words “it is zero”, despite it being clear that zero roads have been transferred under the program.

The Minister dashed the hopes of regional motorists and cash-strapped regional councils that the glacial roll-out of the program would be sped up, saying the Government’s key 2019 election commitment is “not a burning topic” amongst regional councils.

The Minister also cast doubt on whether the full complement of 15,000 kilometres promised would be transferred, repeatedly stating that the policy was “up to” 15,000 kilometres.

Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the Minister’s evidence confirmed that the promise was a cynical attempt to pork barrel regional communities.

“This was a “magic pudding” election promise; every Nationals and Liberal candidate could point to a potential road in their electorate which could be eligible for reclassification or transfer, and the Government still, nearly four years later, hasn’t transferred a single one of them,” Ms Aitchison said.

The Labor candidate for Clarence Dr Leon Ankersmit said the promise clearly is a burning topic amongst locals whose tyres and cars are being wrecked by our potholes that are voluminous and crater deep … it is burning holes in their pockets.

“We’ve got priority regional roads in the Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley Councils that have been put on the back burner by this city-centric Government,” Dr Ankersmit said.

“When this policy was announced it was 15,000 kilometres of regional roads and then the dissembling started with ‘up to’.

“That is the whole problem with this particular election commitment; it has been short on action, vague on detail and has left local councils and locals in limbo land.”

“Clarence Valley Council is seeking to have a number of regional roads transferred to State ownership and management, but importantly, with council keeping state funded maintenance contracts to protect local outdoor jobs. Roads identified for transfer include Grafton to Yamba Road, Eight Mile Lane, Armidale Road, Orara Way, Wooli Road, Big River Way and Ulugundahi View; Iluka Road, Clarence Way, Tyringham Road, and Goodwood Island Road.

“Council is also seeking to have the following local roads reclassified to regional roads and transferred to the State: Angourie Road, Brooms Head Road, Gardiners Road, Amos Road and Palmers Channel South Bank Road, Coaldale Road, Rogans Bridge Road, Pringles Way, Ashby-Tullymorgan and Ashby-Jackybulbin Road, Old Glen Innes Road, Coldstream Road and Tucabia Road, and Sherwood Creek Road.”

Dr Ankersmit confirmed Clarence Valley Council wants to hand back all 378km of regional roads under its control or 15% of its total road network to the State Road network, also keeping maintenance contracts, with some relevant applications done in collaboration with neighbouring councils.

“This includes the full length of the Clarence Way.” Dr Ankersmit said.

“Richmond Valley Council is seeking to have Casino to Woodburn Road transferred to State ownership and what will be the Old Pacific Highway from Boundary Creek Road to South Woodburn Interchange to be a State asset with the State assuming responsibility for its maintenance.”

“However, at this point Richmond Valley Council has only been contacted about transferring the Broadwater to Evans Head Road from local to regional road. The issue about additional funds to Council to maintain the newly classified regional road has not been addressed.”

“Richmond Valley Council also nominated Naughtons Gap Rd (via East Street) from Bruxner Highway in Casino to the Lismore Kyogle Road to be re-classified from local to regional road, whilst remaining under Council control to protect local jobs.”

“Council also supported Kyogle and Lismore Councils in their proposal to have the Lismore Kyogle Road, as well as Lismore Coraki Road, and Wyrallah Road returned to the State.”…..

So you built, purchased or rent housing on flood prone land - what comes next beside an upgraded personal flood plan?

 

2022 may be the year that brought home to many on the Australian east coast what it really means in a changing climate to have built, purchased or rented a freestanding house, townhouse, unit or flat on flood prone land or on floodplain.

Right now, ten months into the third year of a triple La Niña event, individuals and couples may well be wishing that the real estate agent, local council, individual who did the property conveyancing, a neighbour, friend or family member, had been a little more forthcoming about what moving to a particular street, town, local government area or region actually meant when it came to hazard risks from storms, heavy rainfalls and local or widespread flooding.

Whether it is your first home, your retirement dream home or just an affordable rental in which you are happily settled, for literally thousands of people the limitations of the dwelling in which they currently live is becoming apparent.

While devastated souls in catastrophically affected areas are trying to come to grips with trauma and loss as they assess their options.

Where to start with looking at your home with fresh eyes, before deciding if it will withstand the worst floods or whether you need to modify the dwelling, move the house to higher ground or look for a brand new home on land in a safer area? Big decisions.

In mid-2021 a report was published looking at certain options available for flood prone buildings.

Bushfire & Natural HAZARDS CRC, COST-EFFECTIVEMITIGATION STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT FOR FLOOD PRONE BUILDINGS, Final project report, July 2021, excerpt:

Globally, floods cause widespread impacts with loss of life and damage to property. An analysis of global statistics conducted by Jonkman (2005) showed that floods (including coastal flooding) caused 175,000 fatalities and affected more than 2.2 billion people between 1975 and 2002. In Australia floods cause more damage on an average annual cost basis than any other natural hazard (HNFMSC, 2006). The fundamental cause of this level of damage and the key factor contributing to flood risk, in general, is the presence of vulnerable buildings constructed within floodplains due to ineffective land use planning.

Retrospective analysis show large benefits from disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the contexts of many developed and developing countries. A study conducted by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) found an overall benefit-cost ratio of four suggesting that DRR can be highly effective in future loss reduction (MMC, 2005). However, in spite of potentially high returns, there is limited research in Australia on assessing benefits of different mitigation strategies with consequential reduced investment made in loss reduction measures by individuals and governments. This is true not only at an individual level but also at national and international levels. According to an estimate, international donor agencies allocate 98% of their disaster management funds for relief and reconstruction activities and just 2% is allocated to reduce future losses (Mechler, 2011).

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Collaborative Research Centre project entitled Cost-effective mitigation strategy development for flood prone buildings is examining the opportunities for reducing the vulnerability of Australian residential buildings to riverine floods. It addresses the need for an evidence base to inform decision making on the mitigation of the flood risk posed by the most vulnerable Australian building types and complements parallel CRC projects for earthquake and severe wind.

This project investigates methods for the upgrading of the existing residential building stock in floodplains to increase their resilience in future flood events. It aims to identify economically optimal upgrading solutions so the finite resources available can be best used to minimise losses, decrease human suffering, improve safety and ensure amenity for communities.

This report describes the research methods, project activities, outcomes and their potential for utilisation.

Flood mitigation strategies mentioned in the report

Elevation

Elevation of a structure is one of the most common mitigation strategies where the aim is to raise the lowest habitable floor of a building above the expected level of flooding. This can be achieved by extending the walls of an existing structure and raising the floor level; by constructing a new floor above the existing one; or through raising the whole structure on new foundations (walls, piers, columns or piles)as shown in Figure 3.

Technical considerations that need to be taken into account in raising buildings are structure type, construction material, foundation type, building size, flood characteristics and other hazards. Other factors to take into consideration when elevating existing structures are additional loading on foundations, additional wind forces on wall and roof systems and any seismic forces (FEMA, 2012).

Generally the least expensive and easiest building to elevate is a low-set single storey timber frame structure (USACE, 2000). The procedure becomes complicated and more expensive when other factors are included such as slab on-grade construction, walls of masonry or concrete or application to a multistorey building (USACE, 1993). Elevation is one of the strategies which currently can result in incentives from the insurance industry in the form of reductions in annual premiums for flood insurance (Bartzis, 2013).

Relocation

Relocation of a building is a dependable flood mitigation technique. However, it is generally the most expensive as well (USACE, 1993). Relocation involves moving a structure to a location that is less prone to flooding. Relocation normally involves placing the structure on a wheeled vehicle, as shown in Figure 4. The structure is then transported to a new location and set on a new foundation (FEMA, 2012). Relocation is much easier and cost effective for low-set timber frame structures. The relocation of slab-on-grade structures is more complicated and expensive.

Relocation is most appropriate in areas where flood conditions are severe such as a high likelihood of deep flooding, or where there is high flow velocity with short warning time and a significant quantity of debris. Technical considerations for relocation include the structure type, size and condition. Light weight timber structures are easy to transport compared to heavy masonry and concrete buildings. Similarly, the relocation of single storey compact size structures is far easier than for large multi-storey structures.

Dry floodproofing

Dry floodproofing essentially attempts to keep floodwaters out of the house. The portion of a structure that is below the expected flood level is sealed to make it substantially impermeable to floodwaters. This is achieved by using sealant systems which include wall coatings, waterproofing compounds, impervious sheeting over doors and windows and a supplementary leaf of masonry (FEMA, 2012). The expected duration of flooding is critical when deciding which sealant systems to use because seepage can increase with time making flood proofing ineffective (USACE, 1993). Preventing sewer backflow by using backwater valves is also important in making dry floodproofing effective (Kreibich et al. 2005; FEMA, 2007).

Dry floodproofing is generally not recommended in flood depths exceeding one metre based on tests carried out by the US Army Corps of Engineers as the stability of the building becomes an issue over this threshold depth (USACE, 1988; Kreibich et al. 2005). Dry floodproofing is also not recommended for lightweight low-set structures or structures with a basement. These types of structure can be susceptible to significant lateral and uplift (buoyancy) forces. Dry floodproofing may also be inappropriate for light timber frame structures and structures that are not in good condition and may not be able to withstand the forces exerted by the floodwater (FEMA, 2012).

Wet floodproofing

In this measure floodwater is allowed to enter the building to equalise the hydrostatic pressure on the interior and exterior of the building, thus reducing the chance of building failure due to a pressure differential on components. As all the building components below the flood level are wetted, all construction material and fit-outs should be water-resistant and/or can be easily cleaned following a flood. Flood resistant materials can help reduce flood damage and facilitate cleanup to allow buildings to be restored to service as quickly as possible. FEMA (2008) provides a detailed list of building materials classified as acceptable or unacceptable for wet floodproofing based on cleanability and water resistance.

Wet floodproofing involves raising utilities (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical systems etc.) and important contents above the expected flood level.

Wet floodproofing may not be suitable in floods with duration of more than a day as longer duration can lead to damage to structural components of the building and can also result in the growth of algae and mould (FEMA, 2007). Also wet floodproofing can only reduce loss from floods but cannot eliminate loss as some amount of cleanup and cosmetic repair will always be necessary (USACE, 1984). Although using flood damage resistant materials can reduce the amount and severity of water damage, it does not protect buildings from other flood hazards, such as the impact of flood borne debris.

Flood barriers

Flood barriers considered here are those built around a single building and are normally placed some distance away from it to avoid any structural modifications to the building. There are two kinds of barriers: permanent and temporary.

An example of a permanent barrier is a floodwall which is quite effective because it requires little maintenance and can be easily constructed and inspected. Generally, it is made of reinforced masonry or concrete and has one or more passageways that are closed by gates. An example of a floodwall is shown in Figure 5.

There are also several types of temporary flood barriers available on the market which can be moved, stored and reused. There are a number of considerations with regard to the use of these barriers such as the need for prior warning and enough time to be set up in order to be effective (Kreibich et al. 2011). They also require periodic inspection and maintenance to address any repair required. Further, access to the building could be difficult (FEMA, 2007).

A number of vendors make temporary flood barriers that can be assembled relatively easily and moved into place. Some of the temporary flood barrier options are presented below and shown in Figure 6.

Sandbags: This is a traditional and less expensive way to construct a barrier up to 1m high in front of a building and its openings. However, it requires considerable time and effort to set up.

PVC tubes: These consist of two flexible tubes laid side by side and joined permanently to form a twin element with high stability. They can be made ready quite quickly, generally in less than 15 minutes, and are available in 1m height and 10m length units.

Metal boards/fence: This fence system consists of two boards in compact flat packs that are lifted into place after transportation to the site and the system is stabilised by water pressure.

Flexible barriers: These barriers are able to dam or redirect flowing water up to 1m high and can be set up very quickly on almost all surfaces.

Box wall: A freestanding flood barrier for use on smooth surfaces. These can be attached and placed next to each other to build a 0.5m high wall around a building.

Box barrier: An effective temporary flood barrier (0.5m high) that can be aligned easily and rapidly. After positioning, the box can be filled with water to hold it in place.

The report looks at vulnerability to flood risks of various types of housing from: Timber Frame (raised floor); Cavity Masonry - Victorian Terrace (raised floor); Cavity Masonry (raised floor); Brick Veneer (raised floor); and Brick Veneer (slab-on-grade).

The report also examines the strength of selected building components and generally the cost effectiveness of building material for use in flood prone buildings.

The full report can be downloaded at:

https://www.bnhcrc.com.au/file/13042/download?token=2Iqm6aEk

Road travel is still hazardous in regional & rural NSW after more than 9 months of heavy rainfall & flood damage

 

ABC NEWS, 9 October 2022.  IMAGE: The swollen Macquarie River continues to rise near homes around Troy Gully in Dubbo.(Supplied: Rod Price)

The Daily Telegraph/Northern Star, 6 October 2022:

Tony Leggo was part of the Bonalbo Rural Fire crew who attended the latest accident where a coupe ended up on its roof.

“Two local Bonalbo residents were driving behind them and saw the rear swaybar of the car in front come off in the first set of potholes,” Mr Leggo said.

“The car then lost control and hit a second lot of potholes where it started to roll over.

“A crew of four as well as the Group Captain West attended that one.”

He said all of the district’s roads are in poor condition after back-to-back La Nina events and associated floods.

“I get it,” he said, “but when you’re forced to drive at 60 km/h or less on sections and meet someone on your side of the road coming around corners, it’s dangerous.

“Millions were spent recently on a section of the Clarence Way which was improperly mixed so it has to be done again.

“The accident should be a wake up call because it was sheer luck nobody died.”…..

Bonalbo firefighter Joanne Leggo was on scene to assist.

“In my own opinion, I think that the condition of the road, with many potholes being unavoidable, has taken its toll on our cars and perhaps the car experienced mechanical failure upon hitting the smaller, hard to avoid, potholes,” Ms Leggo said.

“They may not have known that the car was at breaking point that day.”

Clarence Way, a major arterial road that connects NSW and Qld, demands improvement, according to residents and emergency personnel.

“Residents, tourists, and seasonal workers have been left to risk their lives daily,” Ms Leggo said.

“The witnesses were adamant the car was not speeding, which makes it even more frightening.”

Occupants of the car, seasonal workers with limited English, were uninjured.…..

Flood affected local government areas eligible to share $312.5 million, to rebuild damaged roads and transport infrastructure, in order to better withstand future natural disasters:

Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes, Gwydir, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Richmond Valley, Singleton, Tenterfield, Tweed and Upper Hunter.

This enhanced round of grant money is jointly funded by the NSW and Federal governments.

‘While support to rebuild damaged roads was announced earlier this year, it only allowed for infrastructure to be repaired to pre-disaster conditions.

It has now been expanded to enable councils to build back in a more resilient way with roads to be improved, and built to withstand future natural hazards.

"This is the next step in the process to get these projects underway, and I'd encourage councils to apply for this funding," Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said.

"We've seen infrastructure like roads and bridges damaged time and again, with no opportunity for them to be repaired or built to a standard that would help them withstand and bounce back from a future natural disaster.

"By rebuilding to a better standard we can protect communities during disasters, while also lessening the long-term damage to regions."’ [The Armidale Express, 7 October 2022]

Clarence Valley Council continues its schedule of works which includes flood repairs.

Storms and heavy rain continue to bedevil the state, with three Natural Disaster Declarations published over the last four months.

La Niña is still active and is expected to increase the chance of above average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia right through to December this year.

Flood modelling, mapping, studies, levee rehabilitation, warning signs, new gauges are worth very little if the NSW Government and North Coast councils continue to allow developers to build on flood prone land and within known floodways or flood storage areas

Below is a list of flood-related issues that the Australian and NSW governments, along with local governments and county councils in the Northern Rivers region, will engage with rather than addressing the rampaging elephant in the room. 

That is, the continued support of extensive urban development on floodplains in the heavily populated state coastal zone and, current environmental and planning legislation which is an inadequate vehicle to deal with any and all risk associated with an Australian climate undergoing continual uncharted change. 

Flood modelling, mapping, studies, levee rehabilitation, warning signs, new gauges, on paper evacuation routes and the like are worth very little if the NSW Perrottet Government and councils across the state (including those in Northern NSW) continue to allow developers to build on identified paths floods are known to travel, or if by consenting to the raising of largescale subdivision ground heights on flood prone land both government and councils redirect groundwater flows causing further riverine and stormwater inundation in towns and villages during heavy rainfall events.

The Northern NSW list.......

NSW Dept. of Planning and the Environment, Floodplain management grants awarded and project summaries, information retrieved 26 September 2022.

2021-22 NSW Government Floodplain Management Grants:

Tweed Shire Council

Tweed Heads south levee overtopping and drainage study

This project will provide a local flood risk management study for the South Tweed business district and residential area. The study will examine flooding, drainage and the hydraulic characteristics of the local levee and drainage systems, in order to identify potential flood risk mitigation and improvement measures. It will also include analysis of future flooding risks such as sea level rise and climate change. The findings of the study will inform development controls in the region and provide a local floodplain risk management strategy, including measures to be implemented within the area to reduce the impacts of flooding.

Raising and Extension of Tweed Heads South Levee is expected to cost $27 million over a 30 year period.

Byron Shire Council

Debris control measures for Federation Bridge

Federation Bridge is the major bridge in Mullumbimby crossing the Brunswick River. Federation Bridge's pile design makes the structure vulnerable to the collection of debris, which causes a major blockage to floodway flow in the Brunswick River at Mullumbimby. This was a contributing factor to the increase in flood levels within Mullumbimby during the 2017 flood event. This project will undertake the investigation, design and construction of bridge control measures to reduce the potential of river blockage at Federation Bridge.

2020-21 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is funded by Resilience NSW:

Lismore City Council

Review and update Lismore flood risk management plan

Lismore experienced a major flood event in March 2017, which peaked at 11.59m Australian height datum (Lismore Rowing Club gauge) and saw the central business district levee overtopped for the first time since it was completed in 2005. Rous County Council recently prepared a flood risk management study following the 2017 event. This project will update Lismore's flood risk management plan, based on the findings of the flood risk management study.

Richmond Valley Council

Update the Richmond River flood study

This project will produce a single consistent flood model for the Richmond Valley local government area from Casino to Broadwater. This involves rebuilding the Richmond River flood model (2010) for use in modern flood model software, inclusion of calibrated modelling for the Casino township, and the merging of the Evans River flood study (2014) and the Pacific Highway Woolgoolga to Ballina road upgrade flood modelling. This will result in the elimination of disparity between the Richmond River and Casino models where they interface and overlap.

2019-20 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management:

Clarence Valley Council

Alice Street levee rehabilitation – investigation and design

A section of the levee between Queen and Alice Street has been identified as being at risk due to scouring and undercutting, potentially causing slips that will risk the stability of the levee. This project will carry out a geotechnical assessment on the stability of the flood levee and riverbank and recommend options to improve riverbank stability in this area.

Wooli flood study and management plan – review and update

This project will update the 1999 Wooli floodplain risk management plan to incorporate recent flood events and best practice modelling to predict flood levels. The updated flood study and plan for Wooli will allow for informed decisions on managing flood risk.

Tweed Shire Council

Detailed design of Murwillumbah central business district levee spillway

During the March 2017 flood, the earthen section of the Murwillumbah central business district levee was overtopped in a few localised low points. The overtopping occurred in an unexpected location and in an uncontrolled nature. The Murwillumbah central business district levee and drainage study recommended the remediation of the levee low points and installation of a formalised spillway to achieve safe and controlled overtopping of the levee during events equal to or greater than the levee crest. This project will complete a detailed design for a spillway and levee rehabilitation.

Update and expansion of the Tweed Valley flood study

The current Tweed Valley flood study was completed in 2009 and covered only the more populated areas of the Tweed. Historical records and anecdotal evidence suggest that there are many more properties in the Tweed Shire's rural areas and villages that are exposed to flooding. This project proposes to expand the Tweed Valley flood study into the upper catchment to cover the villages of Chillingham, Tyalgum, Kunghur, Uki, Stokers Siding, Bilambil and the rural areas in between. Flood intelligence in these areas will allow Council to identify high-risk areas/properties.

Kyogle Council

Bonalbo flood study

Council will undertake a flood study to improve their understanding of flood behaviour and impacts, and to make better informed management decisions in relation to flood risk in Bonalbo. This study will also provide a sound technical basis for any further flood risk management investigations in the area.

2018-19 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government:

Clarence Valley Council

Bluff Bridge (Orara River) flood monitoring

This project will install a remotely monitored flood gauge in the Orara River at Bluff Bridge to enable residents to be aware of when the road is closed. Flooding of the Orara River has caused the Orara Way to close on many occasions at this location. The closure causes isolation and inconvenience to the community of Glenreagh and surrounds as well as through traffic between Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

The Bluff Bridge Flood Monitoring System was switched on in August-September 2020.

Lower Clarence rural floodplain risk management study and plan

This project will prepare a rural floodplain risk management study and plan. In 2014, a report on the management of flood mitigation assets identified that the Council may be maintaining floodplain works that have little or no flood mitigation benefit or that perpetuate environmental harm. The report concluded that the best option was to prepare a new floodplain risk management plans for the rural floodplain.

Tweed Shire Council

Coastal Creeks flash flood warning system

Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes creeks are subjected to flash flooding with little or no warning. This project will undertake modelling to establish the gauge triggers necessary for the flash flood warning system to be effective. Once triggers are determined the warning system will be investigated and implemented. Extensive community engagement is proposed to ensure residents are aware of the action they should take.

Community flood markers

This project involves the fabrication and installation of flood markers and signage to record the level of the March 2017 flood event in various impacted suburbs. This includes updating previous signage commemorating the 1954 flood, as well as additional markers on street poles. The signage project will be complemented by consultation activities and media to raise flood awareness in these communities.

2017-18 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Grants and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government:

Clarence Valley Council

Clarence Valley floor level surveys

There is a lack of knowledge regarding floor heights of buildings located within the Clarence Valley floodplain. This project will undertake floor height surveys of these buildings. This information will be used in conjunction with the lower Clarence flood model for a variety of floodplain management purposes, including refining the evacuation strategies; assisting with the cost/benefit assessments for potential levee augmentations to improve flood immunity; and identify properties that would be eligible for potential future house raising assistance.

Tweed Shire Council

Enhance Burringbar/Mooball/Crabbes Creek gauge network

There are currently 2 rain gauges in the Burringbar and upper Crabbes Creek catchments. This project will install 2 additional rain gauges upstream of Burringbar to improve flood warning in the area.

Incorporate Tumbulgum gauge into flood warning system

The automatic stream gauge at Tumbulgum is not currently included in the Bureau of Meteorology's formal flood warning network. This project will incorporate the gauge at Tumbulgum into the Bureau of Meteorology flood warning network. This will improve predictions of flood height in the mid catchment, by including influences from the tide and Rous River, and will improve flood warnings and real-time evacuation planning.

South Murwillumbah – Condong flow path/levee performance study

This project will deliver a flood study for the south Murwillumbah business district and residential area. The study will examine flooding and the hydraulic characteristics of south Murwillumbah Condong floodway, including the effectiveness of the current levee system. The findings of the study will inform development controls in the region and provide a floodplain risk strategy, including potential property modification measures such as land acquisition and structural works to maintain or improve the efficiency of the floodway.

2016-17 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Program and Floodplain Grants Scheme, which is jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government.

Ballina Shire Council

Ballina Island and West Ballina Flood Protection Feasibility Study and Plan

This project will develop a strategy to protect the existing urban footprint of Ballina Island and West Ballina below the one percent annual exceedance probability flood level from mainstream, storm surge and local overland flooding that can be adapted for future sea level rise. The strategy will be used to implement development controls, identify feasible infrastructure upgrades and structural protection measures available to reduce the impacts of flooding to Ballina Island and West Ballina.

Byron Shire Council

North Byron Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

There is considerable development pressure in the North Byron catchment and Council is currently preparing a future residential development strategy. This project will develop a risk management study and plan for the area to ensure that the existing and future development will be managed in accordance with flood hazards.

Kyogle Council

Tabulam Village floodplain risk management study and plan

The village of Tabulam is flood prone and major flooding has impacted on the village and its residents in the past. Development of the Tabulam floodplain risk management study and plan will assist in identifying the way to manage the risk of flooding impacts within the village area. This will provide guidance for the control measures required for the existing developed area and identify risks involved in new development. Beneficial control measures will be identified and implemented.

Rous County Council

Tuckean floodgate management plan review

The Tuckean floodgate management plan review will address the functional effectiveness and sustainability of Council's infrastructure on the Northern Rivers of NSW. This project will inform and update the Richmond Catchment flood model by providing a refinement of scale to allow feeder canals, drains and tidal variation inclusion. This approach will allow greater understanding of the hydrological function of the Tuckean floodgate, which is known as an acid hotspot. This will also allow Council to revise floodgate management plans in the area and support the community's desire for improved water quality in the Richmond River.

Tweed Shire Council

South Murwillumbah voluntary purchase scheme

A voluntary purchase scheme is in place for high hazard flood affected homes along the Tweed River frontage of River Street, South Murwillumbah. The existing earthen levee provides limited low level protection from small flood events. Properties have been purchased in the region over the past twenty years. Only a few eligible properties remain, and it is difficult to predict when these will be purchased, given the voluntary nature of the program and the owner's willingness to sell their property. Once removed, the properties will become public open space to be enjoyed by the wider Tweed community.

2015-16 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Program and Floodplain Risk Management Grants Scheme, which was jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government.

Richmond River County Council

Richmond Catchment Flood Model compilation and Australian height datum adjustment

This project is designed to refine the existing Richmond River catchment flood models and aims to link all existing flood models into a catchment model to provide continuity across the catchment.

Tweed Shire Council

South Murwillumbah Voluntary Purchase Scheme

A voluntary purchase scheme is in place for high hazard flood affected homes along the Tweed River frontage of River Street South Murwillumbah. This project will provide funding for the purchase of the few eligible properties that remain if the opportunity arises to purchase the property.

2014-15 NSW Government Joint Grants through the Floodplain Management Program and Floodplain Risk Management Grants Scheme, which was jointly funded by the NSW Office of Emergency Management and the Australian Government.

Kyogle Council

Kyogle – flood modification measures: construction activities

This project involves construction activities associated with the structural flood modification measures identified in Council's Floodplain Risk Management Plan, including a partial ring levee and additional Fawcetts Creek flood breakout.

Richmond River County Council

Water Quality Monitoring – Richmond River Catchment

This project will undertake water quality monitoring. The water quality monitoring is linked to the flood mitigation systems as it triggers the opening and closure thresholds (water level and pH) of the floodgate.

Richmond Valley flood warning and evacuation planning system - rural home floor

This project will collect ground and floor level data that can be used in flood warning and evacuation systems and detail homes that are a priority for house raising or evacuation.

Lismore rural evacuation – house floor level plan

This project will survey the floor levels of houses in the most impacted areas. The information will inform potential purchasers of the risks associated with individual houses in the rural area and at the same time give emergency response agencies good information on where resources should be deployed in a flood.

Flood evacuation South Lismore

This project will examine the option for constructing a new high level escape route to high ground for South Lismore.