Rodney Stevens
A long-term Lower Clarence resident claims Yamba flooding problems would be drastically improved if council implemented the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Plan (FRMP) that was adopted at its February 2009 meeting.
Past Valley Watch President Helen Tyas Tunggal said when inquiries have been made about why the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Plan FRMP wasn’t implemented, they had been told by council the Yamba FRMP had been superseded by the Grafton and Lower Clarence Floodplain Risk Management Plan, which council adopted in March 2014.
“That is an update on the 2007 Grafton and Lower Clarence FRMP which doesn’t include Yamba, there is no detail about Yamba, Yamba is not even mentioned in the contents,” she said.
The council resolution from the March 2014 meeting, Ms Tyas Tunggal said, states council adopted the Lower Clarence Flood Model update but mentions nothing about a FRMP or Yamba.
“There is nothing in that resolution and I can’t find any other resolutions that the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Plan has ever lawfully been replaced,” she said.
Ms Tyas Tunggal points out that the approved Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Plan constitutes the third stage in the process and followed on from a Flood Study completed in March 2004 (stage 1) and completion of the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Study in 2008 (stage 2), the first two prerequisite stages for creating a FRMP, but the plan wasn’t implemented (stage 4).
“There is a very comprehensive plan developed by consultants Webb McKeown and Associates for the future management of the flood liable lands in the Yamba area which was to be reviewed every five years and actually approved by council at its meeting on the 24th of February 2009,” she said.
Ms Tyas Tunggal said documents from the meeting show council resolved to adopt the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, but they are yet to implement it.
“Why were these well considered and appropriate recommendations in the plan ignored by Clarence Valley Council?”
“There are very specific things in the Risk Management Plan about the need for further hydraulic modelling to assess the effects of fill and viability of a floodway between Golding and Freeburn Streets, for a masterplan to address related cumulative water issues, to have an adequate evacuation plan, and to include flood related development control,” she said.
“Specific things that if they had been implemented, I believe that a lot of the problems that are now ensuing and coming to light from the cumulative fill in West Yamba could have been prevented.”
According to the plan the proposed development controls stated “Filling for building pads within existing zoned areas is permitted as long as it does not affect local drainage.
Filling on a larger scale should only be permitted following a rigorous hydraulic and environment assessment.” and “Council should maintain a database of filling to monitor its cumulative effects.”
Ms Tyas Tunggal said none of these development controls had been adequately implemented by council.
She made a presentation to the June council meeting about the issue.
Clarence Valley Council Director Environment and Planning Adam Cameron said Council has implemented many of the actions from the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Plan 2009, and many actions are ongoing.
“Any claim that Council has not implemented the plan is incorrect,” he said.
“Council’s webpage West Yamba Development Update clearly explains the history and planning for the West Yamba Urban Release Area.
“The Yamba Flood Risk Management Study 2008 and Yamba Flood Risk Management Plan 2009 precede the current planning controls in the Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011 (the LEP) and the Clarence Valley Residential Zones Development Control Plan 2011 (Residential DCP) that apply to West Yamba.
“In particular, Part X “Schedule X1- West Yamba Urban Release Area” of the Residential DCP generally comprises the ‘master plan’ intent envisaged by the Yamba Floodplain Risk Management Plan 2009.”
Mr Cameron said council resolved to adopt a new Clarence River Flood Model in June this year.
“In June 2023, Council resolved to adopt a new Clarence River Flood Model and to commence a new Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan which will consolidate and update all existing Floodplain Risk Management Plans,” he said.
“The cumulative impacts of flooding in West Yamba have been, and will continue to be, thoroughly assessed against the latest flood modelling information.
“Moving forward, an independent peer review of flood impacts will be undertaken and is funded by the Department of Planning and Environment.”