Flood study on Upper Orara River

LOCAL knowledge can be a powerful weapon in the fight against flooding on the Coffs Coast.

LOCAL knowledge can be a powerful weapon in the fight against flooding on the Coffs Coast.

That’s why Coffs Harbour City Council is picking the brains of residents living around the Orara River and Bucca Bucca Creek – they’re being asked to share their knowledge and experience to help develop a flood study of the Upper Orara River.

The council has contracted GHD to produce the blueprint as part of the NSW Government’s floodplain risk management process.

The study’s aim is to model flood behaviour using available data, including information from locals.

“As a first step, the project team is keen to learn when and where previous flooding has occurred in the Orara River and Bucca Bucca Creek catchments and the surrounding areas and how that affected people and their properties,” said GHD project director Rainer Berg.

“We’ve drawn up a simple survey that people can fill in that will help us form a clear idea of where and when flooding has occurred in the past as well as the behaviour of the flood waters, such as how fast the water rose, fell or pooled.

“In addition, we are holding a community information session where people can share their information and ask us any questions they may have about the study.”

The survey will be mailed to local residents and can also be found on the council’s website, www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au, and by following the “HAVE A SAY” link.

Once the study has progressed the date and time of the community information session will be announced.

For more information about the project, residents can call the project’s community information line on freecall 1800 810 680, or email [e-mail].

Originally published as Flood study on Upper Orara River