Millers Forest Progress Association requested a camera to assist in monitoring flood levels on private land.

A report to a recent council meeting said the installation of a camera would provide benefits for landholders in the Millers Forest and Duckenfield areas in monitoring flood levels.

The report said the area is prone to flooding and could also assist both SES and council in managing road closures in the area.

“The proposal to fund a camera would be consistent with the Millers Forest-Duckenfield Flood Response Plan currently being prepared by the SES in conjunction with the progress association.

Councillor Steve Procter said the installation of the camera would mean not sending a resident or an SES officer to monitor river levels in times of flood.

“This is a surprisingly small outlay and I recommend we approve this,” Cr Procter said at the council meeting.

Millers Forest residents Selby and Gloria Green have applauded the council’s decision and said the equipment may well save a life.

“This will give residents accurate and up-to-date information on how high waters are, and more time to prepare to move livestock to higher ground or to evacuate themselves,” Mrs Green said.

Mr Green said residents have been working on a campaign to have the camera installed for a long time.

In an application to council, the progress association proposed that river height information would be transferred to a computer via UHF radio signal to better enable residents in the area to make decisions on their actions in the event of flood. Residents would be responsible for camera maintenance.

The council report said the Millers Forest Duckenfield area is particularly prone to Hunter River flooding and in the April 2015 super storm was isolated by flood waters for four days.

The report said consultation has occurred with the Office of Environment and Heritage on the matter and council has been informed there would be benefits for landholders in terms of flood warning as a result of the camera which would also potentially assist the SES and council regarding road closures.

SES has been consulted on the proposal and is coordinating with Millers Forest-Duckenfield Flood Response Plan currently being prepared and due for launch on August 23. The aim of the plan is to implement and coordinate response to flooding where the community looks out for each other, develop and maintain a communications network and a community assets register.