FLOOD fears could dry up with a draft Wallis and Swamp-Fishery Creek Flood Study will be placed on public exhibition, after councillors accepted a report on Tuesday.
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In 2017, council commissioned WMA Water to undertake the preparation of Wallis and Swamp-Fishery Creek Flood Study in partnership with Cessnock Council.
The main objective of the study was to develop a robust hydrologic and hydraulic modelling that defines flood behaviour for the study area for a range of design flood events. Gillieston Heights and Louth Park were also identified as flooding hotspots as part of the study.
Liberal councillor Mitchell Griffin said the draft report detailed benefits for the region with plans for potential flood risks.
“This is a very interesting read on what is such a very important issue for our region,” Cr Griffin said.
“I had no idea that this waterway stretches right back to Neath … it’s good that it’s coming to us, and it is the bicentennial of its [Wallis Creek] naming this year so it’s good to have the study.”
The Wallis and Swamp-Fishery Creek catchment is approximately 400 square kilometres and lies within Maitland and Cessnock local government areas.
“It’s good to see it come forward. There’s been a lot of studies done on the Hunter River, and this is the first one to look at the Wallis and Fishery Creek together,” Labor councillor Robert Aitchison added.
“I’m excited to see we will be seeking input from the SES and Office of Environment.
“Some of the things that will come out of this study will be the flooding inundation, access being cut to utilities … and what these risks can actually mean.”
The creeks have a history of significant flooding in 1990, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 over the entire catchment.
The study quantified flood behaviour in the study area and the modelling tools that have been developed will assist Maitland Council and Cessnock Council to undertake flood related planning decisions for future and existing development.
The report will be on exhibit for 28 days.
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