Rodney Stevens
Clarence Valley Councillors have voted to get an independent high-level review and validation of the 2022 Lower Clarence Flood Model update methodology before the model is adopted by council.
At the June 27 Clarence Valley Council CVC meeting, councillors Karen Toms, Debrah Novak and Allison Whaites put forward a motion to rescind the council decision on May 23, which was moved by Cr Toms and seconded by Cr Novak.
The decision to rescind councils May 23 decision not to get an independent review of the model was carried unanimously, which then allowed Cr Steve Pickering to move the council officer’s recommendation to get an independent review, which was seconded by Cr Novak that council:
1.Engage an independent flooding consultant to undertake a high-level review and validation of the Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022 modelling methodology.
- Adopt a final report addressing any comments received from DPE and the peer review and place the final report on Council’s website, subject to concurrence from DPE that the high-level review (and validation) has not significantly altered the Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022.
- Endorse the revised flood model Climate Change 1 (RCP 4.5) as the basis for establishing Flood Planning Levels (residential floor levels) in accordance with Council’s existing floor heights policy (with the exception of North Grafton for the time being).
- note the Department of Planning & Environment has confirmed the Probable Maximum Flood (extreme flood) does not require further validation.
- prepare a planning proposal to amend the Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011 to update the Flood Planning Map and Flood Planning Level to incorporate the 1% AEP Climate Change 1 (RCP 4.5) scenario, as contained in the Lower Clarence Flood Model Update 2022.
- commence preparation of a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan in accordance with the NSW Floodplain Development Manual on receipt of the Final Flood Study report (as per dot point 2) noting that the process will also determine flood planning levels in North Grafton and the extreme flood/probable maximum flood.
Mayor Ian Tiley said council were told there had been a peer review done of the Flood Model and the government were happy with it, so he asked why another review had to be done.
Cr Pickering said the community are calling for a review of the Flood Model which is why the motion had been put forward.
“We need the community to know that this modelling has been done and the review will hopefully alleviate people’s concerns with BMT’s original model,” he said.
“The community wants to see an independent third party review this document to feel confident that the data that’s being expressed is accurate, concise and relevant.”
Cr Pickering said the community was concerned that BMT who prepared the Flood Model, had also done work for developers involved with controversial developments at West Yamba.
CVC General Manager Laura Black told the meeting the review would cost $10,000.
Cr Peter Johnstone then moved an amendment to remove point one of the motion and any other references in the motion to review the Flood Model, which was seconded by Cr Tiley but lost 7 votes to 2.
Speaking for her original motion, Cr Toms said the motion was about trust with the community.
Cr Greg Clancy said the problem with a review of the Flood Model, was the review would only be of the methodology which was not enough and would not satisfy the community.
“I’ve actually had a professional look at it, and they believe that the actual model that was used is fine…the problem is the data that’s entered, and the conclusions made from that modelling,” he said.
When Cr Pickering’s motion was put to the council it was passed 8 votes to 1 with Cr Clancy voting against.
Following the review, the Flood Model will come back before Council to be adopted and placed on Council’s website.