Community and business concerns post floods

Rodney Stevens

Clarence Valley Councillor Debrah Novak will put forward a motion at the May 23 council meeting addressing community and business concerns raised following the devastating 2021 and 2022 floods.

Cr Novak put forward the motion after locals who live and work in the Clarence Valley raised concerns and their fears about local ponding, tidal inundation, stormwater, rainfall, storm tidal peaks and drainage impacts from severe weather and flood declarations in March 2021 and February and March 2022.

“On the back of the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry recommendations, the election of the Labor Party to Government in March 2023 and the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) undertaking their review into the insurance industry’s response to the 2022 Northern New South Wales floods, its timely for the Clarence Valley Council to press pause to get our own house in order and update our polices and frameworks for the future resilience of the Clarence Valley,” background to the motion states.

“Some of the key issues raised with Councillors since the 2022 flood and storm water impacts include but are not limited to flooding, planning, developments, evacuation, food security, land fill, levees, drainage, truck movements, housing supply, flooding duration, housing affordability, potholes and the sustainability of the primary industry sectors.

“Council also needs to ensure any future residential developments and subdivisions proposed for the Lower Clarence floodplain needs to recognise the economic impacts, housing supply chain and any unintended consequences of this decision which could place unnecessary hardship on some.”

Councillors will vote on the motion that council:

Note the: a) Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022 – attached to the Clarence River Flood Study Report.
b) NSW Flood Inquiry recommendations https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-and-initiatives/floodinquiry
c) NSW Government Response to the NSW Parliamentary Select Committee on the Response to Major Flooding across NSW in 2022. https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-and-initiatives/floodinquiry
d) CSIRO Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative updates https://www.csiro.au/en/research/natural-disasters/floods/Northern-NSW-Resilience-Initiative
Investigate adopting a new fee for the independent peer review of flood and stormwater impacts for all development applications that propose more than 50,000m3 of filling (when in an urban area) in the Flood Planning Area of the Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011, and the fee be incorporated into the 2023/2024 Fees and Charges.
Review the Clarence Valley Council’s Development Control Plans (DCP) to align with current best practice floodplain development guidance from the Department of Planning and Environment, including updating objectives and controls about flood evacuation.
Develop and/or host flood awareness education material relevant to the Clarence Valley, in collaboration with the State Emergency Service / Reconstruction NSW (as the lead combat agency). 5. Note the current stormwater study being undertaken by Council staff for the West Yamba Urban Release area which will inform future maintenance and capital works, and that this study can be used to assist in the assessment of development applications.
Note the proposed implementation of the Stormwater Service Charge which will be used to improve maintenance works for stormwater infrastructure across the floodplain.
Provide a biannual newsletter to keep community stakeholders informed about the Clarence Valley Council’s current flood studies that are currently being undertaken.
Seek advice and provide a report to an ordinary meeting within three months, about the budget and resources required to develop a natural disaster resilience strategy, framework and policies for the Clarence Valley community, businesses, and farmers and make representations to Clarence State MP Richard Williamson, Federal MP Kevin Hogan, Northern Rivers Reconstruction Authority, NSW Agricultural Minister MP Tara Moriarty and NSW Small Business Minister, MP Steve Kamper to secure the required funds to carry out this work.
Invite nominations from the Clarence Valley business, Agriculture, Landcare, First Nations, Disability, Youth and housing sectors to join the CVC Climate Change Committee.