And now Peter Bogan has been recognised for his contribution to the first ever farm flood readiness kit.

Mr Bogan drew on his local knowledge of flooding in Maitland to assist Hunter Local Land Services staff in creating the kit.

The kit, which is the first to be developed in NSW, prompts farmers to consider livestock movements, feed supplies and how stock will be moved to higher ground. 

LLS Chair Susan Hooke praised Mr Bogan for his input in the project and said his passion for Maitland’s flood history had helped instigate the kit. 

“Peter Bogan is one of my heroes in this,” she said.

"He’s been my driving force to make sure we don’t take the floods out of our mind focus.”

Ms Hooke said the kit would benefit farmers who had been on the land all their lives as well as hobby farmers and landowners in general.

“There’s a lot of people moving into the Lower Hunter and they have no appreciation of what can happen and how quickly it can happen,” she said.

Major projects officer Skye Moore said prepared landholders were able to help their community during a flood emergency.

“We want people to be prepared on their property so they can be better participants in their communities and they can help others,” she said.

The flood kits entice landholders to consider how they will move stock, store feed supplies and move machinery and equipment to higher ground before a a flood happens. 

Retired Brigadier Darren Naumann – who served as the Regional Recovery Co-ordinator after the storm - launched the kit on a farm at Nelsons Plains on Wednesday. 

The suburb was one of the hardest hit, with hundreds of cattle and horses, and a dog, losing their lives.

“There was $105 million of lost agricultural production, the nation can’t afford that to happen,” Brigadier Naumann said.

“This is a simple step by step plan … I’ve been quite impressed by what I’ve seen in the plan.”