Source: Tweed Shire Council Media Release – Wednesday 4 April, 2018

Flood modelling graphically illustrates the risk

Murwillumbah township residents and businesses are urged to attend a Council drop-in session this Friday afternoon to learn some critically important lessons about flooding in the area.

The drop-in session will allow residents and businesses to see flood modelling and mapping of central Murwillumbah under flood conditions from Catchment Simulations Solutions consultant David Tetley, who has prepared the draft Murwillumbah CBD Flood Levee and Drainage Study now on public exhibition.

Catchment Simulation Solutions surveyed some 800 residents of the area behind the main Murwillumbah levee in October last year to gauge their understanding and preparedness for floods. One of the key findings of that survey was that very few people understand the flood risk in central Murwillumbah or would respond quickly to an order to evacuate or evacuate at all.

“This flood modelling graphically illustrates the risk of flooding behind the levee wall, which every resident and business located in that area needs to be aware of and prepared for,” Manager Roads and Stormwater Danny Rose said.

“We need to raise the awareness of this risk to build a more flood-resilient community.”

The drop-in session will be held at the Canvas and Kettle Meeting Room at the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre from 3-6pm on Friday 6 April.

Community members will be able to talk with Council’s flood engineers and the consultants to unpack some of the content of the draft Murwillumbah CBD Flood Levee and Drainage Study, which is on public exhibition until Friday 4 May 2018.

The draft study highlights the findings of the consultant’s study and community survey and assesses a number of engineering options to further protect the area from floods.

Council has received funding for an additional study focused on South Murwillumbah, and will commence that work later in the year.

The draft study will be on display at the drop-in session but can also be viewed at the Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads administration centres and libraries and online at http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/.

Representatives from the State Emergency Service will also be at the drop-in session to provide advice and information on how to prepare for a flood.

Feedback on the draft study should be made in writing to the General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 or by email to [email protected] by Friday 4 May 2018.

Anyone wanting to discuss the draft study can contact Council Flood Engineer Leon McLean by telephoning 02 6670 2400 or by emailing [email protected]. 

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