Draft plans for property management in two flood-affected areas and a draft policy for voluntary house raising in those areas have been adopted by Cessnock City Council.
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The draft Swamp Creek Property Flood Management Plan, adopted at council’s March 15 meeting, outlines various property management options for residential properties adjoining Swamp Creek in Abermain and Weston.
Council endorsed the submission of grant applications under the NSW Floodplain Management Program for vegetation clearing works and a flood warning system in Swamp Creek.
A property flood management plan for Black Creek was adopted at the same meeting, to assist flood-affected properties in South Cessnock, Cessnock and Bellbird.
Both plans provided information on property management options including voluntary house raising and voluntary flood proofing.
Each plan will be submitted to NSW Office Environment and Heritage for approval ahead of council contacting priority residential property owners eligible for assistance.
Council also supported the draft Voluntary House Raising Policy, which outlines the criteria and administration of the schemes for eligible high-risk homes for both the Swamp Creek and Black Creek Flood Risk Management Plans.
Council received funding from the Office of Environment and Heritage for the voluntary house raising scheme, which will provide assistance to cover two-thirds of the cost of structural changes to eligible properties (with a maximum payment of $60,000).
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent welcomed the most recent flood mitigation developments as a step forward for the community.
“The best flood mitigation options vary from location to location but it is pleasing to see we are working towards minimising the impact of flood water on our community,” Cr Pynsent said.
Council is continuing to investigate and develop other options to mitigate the impacts of flooding, including work on the design of a flood diversion wall for the South Cessnock area (following an Office Environment and Heritage grant in 2016).
Council will apply for a NSW Floodplain Management Grant to design a flood warning system in the highest risk locations in Cessnock, Abermain and Weston.
