Lake Conjola water dropping, minor flooding, says SES

Shoalhaven regions are experiencing some “minor flooding” following an inundation of rain and a concerning alert after a channel digging bungle near a popular tourist park, the SES say.

Updated Thursday, April 24:

Shoalhaven regions are experiencing some “minor flooding” following an inundation of rain and a concerning alert after a channel digging bungle near a popular tourist park, the SES say.

Despite minor flooding occurring in Lake Conjola, an SES spokesman said levels were “slowly dropping”.

“We are also monitoring Burrill and Tabourie Lakes which have been higher, are open and tidal,” he said.

“With a return to sunshine it is an opportunity to clean gutters and drains. An opportunity also to check roofs and skylights. Don’t forget your trees - some are at risk of falling after a soaking.

“We have replenished sand and sandbags for self help at the Telstra Tower at Lake Conjola and Beach St Carpark at Lake Tabourie.”

However, the SES warned more rain was expected in the coming days.

Earlier:

Visitors and residents at a South Coast holiday park are being told to prepare to evacuate, after a botched channel digging has resulted in a “significant” flooding risk.

Holiday Haven Lake Conjola is currently under threat of flooding, according to Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White, who conceded recent efforts to dig out a channel from Lake Conjola to the ocean to alleviate flooding were botched.

“There are currently questions being asked as to whether the job was done right,” she said.

However, Ms White said evacuation orders were not in place “as of yet”, but council workers were on scene and monitoring the situation.

“We were granted permission by the NSW Government on Sunday night to dig out a channel, but it has not worked,” she said.

Lake Conjola was opened to the ocean in efforts to stave off flooding on April 21, 2025. Picture: Lake Conjola & Surrounds Notice Board

Ms White’s dire words of warning come as residents at the holiday park voiced their concerns on social media.

One directly asked the mayor whether formal evacuation orders were going to be put in place, saying many were afraid of flooding.

Lake Conjola was opened to the ocean in efforts to stave off flooding on April 21, 2025. Picture: Lake Conjola & Surrounds Notice Board

“I urge you to call the council and tell them what is happening. This is their number 1300 293 111,” the user posted.

“The more calls they get, perhaps we will see some action, but it will have to be quick as houses will soon be inundated with water.”

Ms White also noted areas in Sussex Inlet were experiencing some “road flooding”, but said water inundation was not serious enough yet to require evacuation orders.

Lake Conjola residents were last hit by significant flooding in 2023, with many at the time taking to social media calling on council to dig a channel from the lake to the ocean in an effort to stop the disastrous situation from happening again.

An SES spokeswoman said they were aware of low-lying flooding occurring on the banks of Lake Conjola, and revealed a team was en route to the small coastal hamlet to “undertake community liaison with concerned residents”.

“The NSW SES has not issued an emergency warning for evacuations and there have been no calls for assistance in Lake Conjola,” she said.

“NSW SES will continue to monitor the situation and issue warnings via the Hazards Near Me App and NSW SES website should the situation change.”

A Shoalhaven Council spokeswoman said as of Wednesday afternoon, some areas of Holiday Haven Lake Conjola were “impacted by water that may affect some camping sites if the rain continues”.

Evacuation orders are still not in place.

“We are monitoring the conditions and will advise affected guests and if available, offer an alternative site if the situation changes,” the spokeswoman said.

“Additionally, we are also monitoring the opening from the lake to the ocean and the weather forecast is for the rain to subside overnight.”

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Originally published as Lake Conjola water dropping, minor flooding, says SES