Flood experts to lead community consultations

One-on-one consultation sessions with flood mitigation experts are being made available to community members affected by overland water flows in their area.

Wagga Wagga City Council is holding the community engagement sessions as part of the consultation for two important documents currently on public exhibition - the Wagga Wagga Major Overland Flow Floodplain Study and Plan (MOFFS) and the Village Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans (VOFFS).

Residents in Tarcutta, Uranquinty and Ladysmith are being encouraged to book individual 15-minute consultations in their village if they require more information about VOFFS.

Similar consultations for MOFFS in Wagga Wagga will be held at the Civic Centre.

The studies can be accessed through Council’s website which also provides the opportunity to make a submission or book a consultation session. All consultations for Wagga Wagga, Uranquinty, Tarcutta and Ladysmith will be held across 20-21 April.

Council’s Director Projects and Strategy Darren Raeck said consultants representing GRC Hydro and WMAwater will be available across two days to address any residents’ inquiries around the studies.

“We want community feedback on these studies to ensure we have covered all bases,” Mr Raeck said.

“To assist in this process we have engaged the consultants to be available for one-on-one sessions with residents who may need clarification or more information on certain issues within the studies.

“It is important Council receives submissions during the exhibition period as this feedback will help shape the final documents to go back to Council for proposed adoption.

“It will also determine our funding priorities across the next decade.”

The documents give details on several years of flood modelling and community consultation to source local knowledge of flash flooding after heavy localised rainfall.

The MOFFS and VOFFS do not relate to riverine flooding which is the subject of a separate peer review.

To make a submission and to review the MOFFS and VOFFS documents, go to wagga.nsw.gov.au/floodstudies

The 40-day public exhibition period ends on 5 May 2021.