New Lower Macleay Flood Risk Reference Group calls for members

Published on 07 November 2023

Since 2019, Kempsey Shire Council have been working on a Flood Management Program to protect Kempsey township and downstream communities of Frederickton, Gladstone and Smithtown against future flood events.

This Program delivered a flood study in 2019 for the Lower Macleay, resulting in the Lower Macleay Flood Study report. 

An updated Lower Macleay (2023) Flood Study has been completed which slightly expanded the model and is to be issued for consultation in the coming weeks.

The next part of the process involves doing a Lower Macleay Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, which outlines a range of measures to manage existing, future and residual flood risks by providing a strategy in the event of a flood emergency.

The plan will help the community and Council to manage flood risk through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities.

As part of this process, a flood risk reference group will be formed through an EOI process. 

The role of the committee is to:

• Provide a forum to discuss the future of Lower Macleay Flood Risk Management directly with Technical Experts and Councils representatives.
• Provide knowledge and information to help inform the decisions made for the Flood Risk Management Plan.
• Ensure the committee and community has up-to-date and accurate information about the progress of the project.
• Identify risks and concerns regarding the project and seek to provide clarity and resolve them where possible.
• Provide a forum for shared learning and continuous improvement.

If you would like to apply to be a member of the Flood Risk Reference Group, head to our Your Say Macleay Page, where you will be able to download the Terms and Conditions and fill out an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The EOI will be reviewed by the Project Team and successful applicants notified.