Flood funding
SEVEN northern region councils will share in nearly $650,000 of government funding for projects aimed at safeguarding against floods.
Armidale Dumaresq Council will receive $80,000 for a floodplain risk management study that will update the council’s information on flood risk, take into consideration new areas and catchments, and assess the risk posed to land the council plans to open for development in the future under its new local environment plan.
Director of public infrastructure David Steller said once the study was finished mid-next year, the Armidale Floodplain Management Committee would consider it in the development of a new risk management plan for the city.
Gunnedah Shire Council will put the $75,482 it will receive towards the second and third stages of a concept design study for flood mitigation works on Blackjack Creek, which would consist of riparian corridor works.
Director planning and environmental services Mike Silver said about 190 homes would potentially be affected by the flooding of the creek.
The $114,286 allocated to Tenterfield Shire Council will be used to develop a flood risk management plan for the town, which will be completed in 2013-14.
Acting director of engineering services Ralf Stoeckeler said the plan would be based on a flood study that was nearing completion.
Moree Plains Shire Council’s $201,000 will be used for five different projects, including a plan to manage flooding in the shire’s villages.
Funding will also go towards a review of a Pallamallawa flood study, and for the council to negotiate with landholders on the acquisition of easements where levies are located to give the council access to maintain them.
A house-raising study and the installation of historic and one-in-100-year flood markers will also be undertaken.
Uralla Shire Council has been granted $80,000 for a study to assess the flood risks Rocky and Uralla creeks pose to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Environmental projects officer Stephanie McCaffrey said the study was the start of a longer-term process to assess whether flood controls were adequate and adopt any other controls that might be needed.
Narrabri Shire Council is in line for $80,000 and $50,000 has also been allocated to Glen Innes Severn Council, but no one was available for comment.
