Newsletter – March 2018

Bredbo Flood Study A Flood Study is currently being undertaken for . This Study will examine flooding caused by Bredbo and its tributaries and overland flow. Following this, a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan will be prepared with the aim of identifying and managing existing, future and residual flood risk.

The Floodplain Management Process

Snowy Regional Council is undertaking a Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study under the NSW Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy. The primary objective of the Policy is to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on owners and occupiers of flood-prone property and reduce public and private losses resulting from flooding. The Policy provides for technical and financial support by the State Government through four stages:

1. Flood Study Determine the nature and extent of potential flooding issues. 2. Floodplain Risk Management Identifies the impacts of floods on the existing and future community and evaluates practical, feasible and economic management measures to treat existing, future and residual risk. 3. Floodplain Risk Management Plan Formal adoption by Council of a plan of risk management measures for the floodplain. 4. Implementation of the Plan Implementation of floodplain risk management measures such as construction of mitigation works, improvements to emergency response or amendments to planning controls.

The current studies comprise phases one to three of the four step process listed above. Floodplain Risk Floodplain Risk Implementation Flood Study Management Management of Plan Study Plan

The Study Area

Bredbo River flows to the south of Bredbo in a north- west direction and has a catchment area of approximately 740 km2 at its with the . The River originates in steep Bredbo mountainous terrain to the west of town. A number of creeks and tributaries of Bredbo River flow through the town and have the potential to cause flooding.

Bredbo is also subject to flooding from overland flow (flooding which occurs as sheet flow in an ill-defined channel) which drains through the township from the west toward the River.

Intense rainfall events in December 2010 and 2016 resulted in the flooding of areas of Bredbo. Newsletter Issue 1: March 2018 Page 1 Bredbo Flood Study Newsletter – March 2018 Community involvement in this study is important. We want you to have your say.

What’s happening now?

The Flood Study aims to understand and determine flood behaviour at Bredbo. The first stage of the Flood Study will be to collect, compile and review all available information, including valuable community knowledge and experiences.

A computer model will be developed to determine the extent and nature of flooding in the Study Area. Historical data such as gauge readings, photos of flood behaviour and observations of flooding made by the community will be used to ensure model accuracy. This is where we need your help.

How can I have my say?

A questionnaire is enclosed with this newsletter. Please complete and return this to the FREEPOST address in the envelope provided. If you prefer, questionnaires can also be completed online at: https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/1247/Flood-Study-and-Floodplain-Risk- Manageme This newsletter and questionnaire forms part of our community consultation program, which aims to inform Bredbo residents of the studies as well as collect important flood information. The local knowledge and personal experiences of local residents is a vital source of information. We are specifically interested in historical records such as photographs or observations of flooding.

Feedback from the community will be analysed and used to establish an accurate flood model of the study area. At a later date, preliminary results will be used to produced and a draft study which will be placed on public exhibition. You will be invited to view and comment on the study and public forums will be held to present and discuss the results of the Study.

Contacts

If you have additional information you would like to share, or further comments, please attach them to your questionnaire response or, alternatively, email your comments to the contacts below.

Zac Richards Council Contact Norm Mueller GRC Hydro - Director Snowy Monaro Regional Council SMEC - LFM Water & Environment [email protected] [email protected] - ACT & Southern NSW Tel: 0432 477 036 Tel: 02 6455 1917 [email protected] Tel: 02 6234 1904

Newsletter Issue 1: March 2018 Page 2 Bredbo Flood Study Questionnaire – March 2018 Please complete this questionnaire and return to the FREEPOST address in the envelope provided. If you prefer, questionnaires can also be completed online at https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/1247/Flood-Study- and-Floodplain-Risk-Manageme All surveys are returned before 20 April 2018 or they may not be counted. (please note your contact details will be held confidential and will only 1. Contact Details be used to contact you for more information regarding this study) Name: Address:

Phone Number: Email Address:

Can we contact you for more information? Yes No

2. Is this property a residence, business, other?

Residence Business Other

If business or other please provide some details – e.g. ‘Bredbo General Store’:

3. How long have you lived/worked at this address?

Years Months

5. Are you aware of Bredbo River flooding at Bredbo?

Very Aware Aware Not aware

If “Very Aware” or “Aware”, do you have photographs of flooding, recorded observations of flood depths or any other flood related information? Please provide details below or attach information. Please include dates when known.

Questionnaire Issue 1: March 2018 Page 3 Bredbo Flood Study Questionnaire – March 2018

6. Are you aware of any flooding due to Creeks or overland flow at Bredbo?

Very Aware Aware Not aware

Overland flow is flooding which occurs as sheet flow in an ill-defined channel. If “Very Aware” or “Aware”, do you have photographs of flooding, recorded observations of flood depths or any other flood related information? Please provide details below or attach information. Please include dates when known.

7. Has your property ever been affected by flooding?

No Yes, in my yard Yes, in my house

If Yes, please provide details below (additional information can be attached to this questionnaire if necessary or emailed to [email protected]). Please include dates when known.

8. Have you noticed anything that has made your flooding worse?

Yes No e.g. have you noticed blockage of structures such as pipes, culverts or bridges? Have you noticed a change near you that has impacted on flood behaviour? If Yes, please provide details below (additional information can be attached to this questionnaire if necessary or emailed to [email protected]). Please include dates when known.

Please attach additional information and comments to this questionnaire or email [email protected]

Questionnaire Issue 1: March 2018 Page 4