Flood plan reveals victims to be housed at Olympic Park during natural disasters

Thousands of flood victims, displaced by a one in 500 year flood in the Nepean and Hawkesbury Valley, are set to be relocated to Sydney Olympic Park under a mass care facility plan.

Volunteers locate ‘disaster victims’ during an evacuation exercise conducted at Qudos Bank Arena on June 26, planning in the event of a flood in the Nepean and Hawkesbury Valley.

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A devastating one in 500 year flood in the Nepean and Hawkesbury Valley would see thousands of displaced residents from Sydney’s northwest seek shelter at Sydney Olympic Park, according to NSW Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott.

A multi-agency operation, dubbed Exercise Deerubbin, saw State Emergency Services volunteers, NSW Police, The Red Cross and Anglicare representatives put to the test on Wednesday, practising for the management of a massive flood scenario, which would involve the evacuation of people and animals from flood prone communities.

Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott has addressed the media over an evacuation exercise conducted at Qudos Bank Arena on June 26, in the event of a flood in the Nepean and Hawkesbury Valley. NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner Kyle Stewart also involved.

A total of 500 displaced role-players converged on Qudos Bank Arena, with emergency services tasked with reuniting loved ones and providing emergency accommodation as part of the mass care facility exercise.

Mr Elliott said the training exercise provided “an important practice opportunity for emergency management arrangements in the event of a major flood in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley”.

“The people of Western Sydney can be assured that the NSW Government is prepared and well equipped to respond to a major incident, such as a flood in the Hawkesbury and Nepean Valley which could require an evacuation,” Mr Elliott said.

The Hawkesbury River has flooded several times in the Richmond area.

“Today’s exercise has been months and months in the planning and we certainly cannot take it take for granted the training required by our emergency services workers … when it comes to being able to respond to these sort of natural disaster.

“Natural disasters, are a common feature of the Australian life, they can come at any time, they can come in any way and it’s only through these sort of exercises can our combat agencies be prepared for response.”

NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner Kyle Stewart said the community is encouraged to “know the risk of flooding”.

The Australian Red Cross was also involved in the exercise, planning the event of a flood in the Nepean and Hawkesbury Valley.

“We need to ensure our plans are exercised, he said.

“These exercises assist in ensuring all emergency services and the community are ready to respond should a major flood in the valley occur.”

The commissioner described the 9500 SES volunteer community as “the best in the world” and highlighted new funding for upgrades to SES vehicles.

NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell (right) and NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner Kyle Stewart (left).

NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said over 25 agencies were taking place in the exercise, which in a real-life scenario, would see the Qudos Bank Arena and other large scale facilities transform into a disaster care facility.

“We’re testing our ability to manage (displaced) people in a caring environment,” he said.

“We also have the facilities of the Royal Agricultural Society next door, in the event that animals are being evacuated as well.

“The facilities here are ideal for us, and I think in the future if they’re needed, then we won’t have any problems.”

The submerged Yarramundi Bridge on Springwood Road, Yarramundi, Western Sydney.