Overland Flood Study

Ballina Shire Council has engaged engineering consultants Engeny to undertake the Ballina Island and West Ballina Local Stormwater Drainage Management Study and Stormwater Masterplan (the SWMP), along with Alstonville Overland Flood Study and Wardell Overland Flood Study. WMS Engineering has been engaged to undertake the Lennox Head Overland Flood Study. 

The SWMP and flood studies aim to:

• understand the current capacity of the stormwater network
• model and map overland flooding over a range of storm events, including the March 2022 storm
• identify areas where flooding occurs during high rainfall events due to factors such as stormwater capacity limitations
• identify potential stormwater upgrade projects that could improve this flooding.

The stormwater upgrade options identified in the SWMP and flood studies will be assessed for their technical, financial, and construction feasibility and will be prioritised accordingly. An implementation plan will then be developed for the SWMP.

The SWMP will also assess the benefits of proposed evacuation route raising projects currently funded by the Australian Government, providing safe entry and exit from Ballina Island and West Ballina in a riverine flooding event.

You can help improve the accuracy of flood modelling and maps by sharing descriptions or photos of stormwater flooding you have observed in each study area. This information can relate to the March 2022 storm or any other significant rainfall event. Please use the survey below to provide these details.

The Overland flood studies will provide up to date information to support town planning, guide future development and assist emergency response in future storms.

This project is funded by Ballina Shire Council and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).