FAQs

Overland flooding occurs when heavy rain causes water to flow over the ground, usually because the drainage system can't cope with the amount of water. This type of flooding generally occurs in streets, yards, or low-lying areas where water builds up and can’t drain away quickly enough. Overland flooding is different to riverine flooding, which occurs when a river or creek overflows its banks and the water spills over onto nearby land, often affecting areas close to the river.

While Council regularly maintains and cleans drains, this alone cannot prevent all flooding. During extreme rainfall events, even perfectly clean drains can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water. This study will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of the way our stormwater system operates and identify ways in which we can improve our stormwater management, and how future developments may impact the existing system.

Following the floods, our immediate priority was repairing damaged infrastructure and fixing urgent stormwater issues. Now that these critical repairs are complete and state government funding is secured, we're taking the important next step of comprehensive flood planning. This study will help us identify system-wide improvements needed to better protect our community from future flooding.

Since 2022, Council has undertaken critical drainage maintenance, conducted detailed system assessments, and implemented targeted infrastructure upgrades in high-risk areas. We've also improved our flood monitoring and data collection capabilities.

This study builds upon the data previously submitted to the NSW Reconstruction Authority. It provides more detailed local analysis and will help us develop specific solutions for our area, while ensuring our projects align with regional flood management strategies.

Flood modelling creates digital maps showing how water moves through our community during various rainfall scenarios. These maps use colors to indicate water depths and velocities. While the technical model data is complex, the study will produce user-friendly maps that clearly show flood-prone areas for community consultation.

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