How you can help develop Lismore's flood management plan

LISMORE City Council is calling for people to join the new floodplain management committee.

COMMITTEE CALL-OUT: There are three places available to join Lismore City Council's Floodplain Management Committee and interested people need to submit and expression of interest before May 2, 2019. Picture: Contributed Yoyok Hendrix

AT LEAST five people have already submitted an expression of interest in joining Lismore City Council's Floodplain Management Committee.

The committee will have two community members representing flood-prone communities of Lismore (North and South Lismore) and one representative of the environmental sector.

Other committee members will comprise two councillors, one council staff member and one representative each from the Chamber of Commerce, the NSW State Emergency Service, the Office of Environment and Heritage, Rous County Council and Southern Cross University.

While this committee will oversee and provide guidance on the management of flood-prone land in Lismore, it will have no decision-making authority.

The primary role of the committee will be to assist the council to review, develop and implement its next Floodplain Risk Management Plan by:

• Providing a link between the council and the community;
• Identifying the flood problems to be addressed and the study area;
• Overseeing the progress and findings of studies undertaken in the preparation of the plan;
• Providing input into known flood behaviour as part of the Floodplain Risk Management Study that will inform the Floodplain Risk Management Plan; and
• Identifying implementation strategies for the Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

The council advises the committee will meet as required during the preparation of the Floodplain Risk Management Study and the Floodplain Risk Management Plan, generally at least once a month.

However, according to the committee's terms of reference, members will need to abide by strict limitations.

The terms of reference state committee members have no authority to direct council staff, commit council to any expenditure or specific course of action, is unable to waive or amend council policies and members are not authorised to speak or issue press releases on behalf of the committee or council.

Expressions of interest close on May 2, 2019.

For more information, phone Paula Newman on 1300 87 83 87.

More information here.