Fairy Hill identified for housing opportunity
Richmond Valley Council has welcomed the release of the draft Resilient Lands Strategy by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation. The strategy has identified Fairy Hill as a flood-safe housing opportunity.
Two sites for new floodproof housing in Kyogle, one in Richmond Valley
Where can we build new housing that doesn’t flood? The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation has identified 22 sites across the Northern Rivers that are suitable for flood-free housing development. Of these sites, 15 are ready for “immediate investigation”.
Drones set to fly further to save lives: Surf Life Saving NSW
Surf Life Saving NSW will trial the use of specialised long-range drones which could greatly enhance coastal safety and improve how we respond to emergency situations or natural disasters. With support from the NSW Government through the Department of Primary Industries, Surf Life Saving NSW currently provides the largest coastal uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) surveillance program in the Southern Hemisphere.
Councillors divided over post flood motion
A motion to address community and business concerns following the 2021 and 2022 floods that devastated the region has divided councillors at the May 23 Clarence Valley Council meeting. The motion was moved by Cr Novak and seconded by Cr Alison Whaites before Climate Change Committee CCC chair Cr Greg Clancy asked Cr Novak how many meetings of the committee she had attended.
The Wolfe Brothers to headline the Day at the Dam Music Festival
Council is thrilled to announce that the Wolfe Brothers will be the headlining act ... This exciting event will provide a platform for local service providers, disaster recovery and employment agencies to showcase their products and share resources to the attendees, through trade displays and a mini job fair.
New plan outlines the Gannawarra’s flood recovery targets
A new plan developed by Gannawarra Shire Council in partnership with more than 30 agencies will guide the Gannawarra’s recovery from the October-December 2022 floods. The Gannawarra Municipal Flood Recovery Plan features 48 priority actions across 11 recovery target areas that Council and other agencies will work on to guide recovery efforts.
Council collaborates to benefit community
The Lockyer Valley knows only too well just what the impact of a severe weather event can look like – physically, mentally and emotionally. Following two severe flood events in 2022 alone, after bushfires and years of drought, Lockyer Valley Regional Council has forged important new partnerships to bring tangible benefits to the community.
Yamba CAN urges council to do flood survey
The Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN Inc is urging Clarence Valley Council to conduct a flood survey of all residents on the Yamba floodplain so it can be incorporated in the updated Clarence River Flood Study and Flood Model which are currently being prepared ... When Yamba CAN recently discovered a flood study being conducted by Coffs Harbour City Council of residents in the Moonee Creek catchment area, members questioned why CVC couldn’t do the same.
Local artwork to adorn Council-owned building sites
Artwork by ten local artists will adorn temporary vinyl mesh fencing around a number of Council-owned buildings while they undergo flood restoration ... "I hope when people walk past these construction sites, the artwork puts a smile on their face and lifts their spirit”: Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg.
Call for flood review to prevent future risk: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is calling for a comprehensive, ongoing review of devastating flooding during La Nina to prevent future threats to people, property and livelihoods ... NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said many people had reported unprecedented damage resulting from these floods, and called for a review into floodplains and planning decisions that may have exacerbated the problem.
Act of kindness times 50 restores flooded prize winning garden
Fifty pairs of helping hands restored the McCormacks’ prize winning garden at Swan Bay. In 2018, Jenny and Jim McCormack won the North Coast Champion Garden. In 2022, that garden was under water with only the tops of the tallest trees poking out of the floodwaters.
Dismal dollars in Budget for rural roads: NFF
Three peak bodies representing famers and transporters have raised concerns about the lack of sufficient additional funding in the Federal Budget to address the perilous state of flood impacted rural roads. In the lead up to the Budget, GrainGrowers, National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) called for an emergency funding package of nearly $5.5 billion, a call the Government answered with just $250 million in new funding.
Lovell seeks Andrews Government commitment on levee bank maintenance in Northern Victoria: Lovell
The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has sought details from the Andrews Labor Government regarding the management and maintenance of levee banks throughout Victoria, including in her electorate of Northern Victoria Region.
Just add water, again
While Victoria wrestles with the federal government over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Sustainable Diversion Limit project, the delivery of held environmental water ramps up to flood Gunbower Forest again. Described as the ‘Special Sauce’ by North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), held environmental water will be used to irrigate the forest following two flooding events in 2022, an irrigation event and the following wide-scale major flooding. It’s not tree or canopy health that is driving the NCCMA’s call for water this time around but food for water birds.
Northern Rivers flood rebuild $7.9 billion and rising
The cost to rebuild and repair more than 2500 projects of flood ravaged public infrastructure on the Northern Rivers following the devastating 2022 floods is estimated at $7.9 billion and is predicted to increase ... NRRC head David Witherdin said the increase in costs was expected as the corporation identified more projects.
Funding fears halt projects
Reports have surfaced that Victorian Water Minister, Harriet Shing, has halted work on several of the nine Victorian Murray floodplain restoration projects, due to fears the federal government will not reimburse it for the work ... Irrigators now fear that Federal Minister Plibersek will now push on with further buybacks, adding to the current round of buybacks, all bringing with them perverse social, economic and environmental impacts.
Hume Dam releases increase to manage airspace: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority is creating airspace at Hume Dam as irrigation demands decrease and the wetter months approach ... "Hume Dam is currently at 91% capacity and Dartmouth is at 96%. Airspace management releases will continue at Dartmouth Dam at low rates": MDBA Executive Director of River Management Andrew Reynolds.
But, protesters support West Yamba rezoning
"Stop the fill, don’t drown our town" were the familiar chants of about 40 protesters who were joined by Greens MLC and environmental lawyer Sue Higginson to support Cr Greg Clancy’s motion to rezone land at West Yamba not already subject to development approval at Clarence Valley Council’s April meeting. Joined by members of Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN, who were armed with a 3.01 metre pole to indicate the height of fill at Carrs Drive, Ms Higginson said Cr Clancy’s motion was trying to put the brakes on development on the floodplain for all the right reasons.
West Yamba rezoning motion defeated
A motion to rezone land at West Yamba not already subject to development applications from residential to conservation and rural status has been defeated, with many Clarence Valley Councillors indicating they want to wait for the latest flood modelling to be released before deciding on the issue ... Prior to the CVC meeting, councillors heard deputations supporting the rezoning from Greens MLC and Environmental Lawyer Sue Higginson, Lynne Cairns from Yamba CAN, Engineer Peter Maslen and Yamba Local Craigh McNeill.
2023/2024 Proposed budget’s flood recovery focus: Gannawarra Shire Council
Flood recovery efforts are a key focus of Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2023/2024 Proposed Budget, with Council seeking community feedback regarding this key document up to 5pm Friday, 26 May. ... “Council’s 2023/2024 Proposed Budget outlines the Gannawarra’s recovery from our second major flood event this century, with $25 million from our capital works program dedicated to infrastructure repairs”: Mayor Charlie Gillingham.
Flood risks, not engineering report
The Naracoorte Lucindale Council administration does not have an engineering report that mitigates the risk of flooding in the township, says Cr Cameron Grundy. Cr Grundy told the council’s meeting on March 28 that he was inundated with reports from the public worried about the blocked Naracoorte Creek and the flooding implications it could have.
Not for profit organisations secure funding to rebuild fences for flood-affected farmers
Volunteer-based not-for-profit organisations have received vital support through the Early Needs Recovery Program to help re-build, repair and clear fences in flood-affected areas ... "By providing this funding to ShoreTrack, BlazeAid and Rotary Australia to help with the fence rebuilding process, it is hoped to take some of the pressure off farmers to get this done so they can concentrate on other parts of their businesses and recover production quicker": Peta Holcombe, Early Needs Recovery Project Manager.
