Flood report reveals risk areas
FUTURE developments in the Tweed could face disruptions and even be stopped following the release of a new independent flood study commissioned by Tweed Shire Council.
The council has put the study's report on public display and is asking residents to provide feedback on the findings which recommend planning proposals in areas such as South Murwillumbah and Chinderah should be reconsidered.
The council's planning and infrastructure engineer Danny Rose said if some of the planning proposals in potentially hazardous locations were to go ahead, future residents could face increased risk of flooding.
Mr Rose said a major flood would affect thousands of people and properties and if a worst case scenario would occur, up to 41,000 Tweed residents, accounting for 17,000 homes, would be directly affected by inundation or isolation.
"The probable maximum flood is the worst possible flood that can occur and it's the sort of thing we use for emergency response," Mr Rose said.
The study looked at the relative hazards and exposures of risk in areas such as South Murwillumbah, Chinderah Village and Tweed Heads South and had significant implications for management of existing and future flood risks.
The report on public display includes a number of discussion papers and a draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan which contains recommendations that impact on emergency response, flood mitigation, town planning and community education.
Council will hold a number of information sessions on the draft study and plan, with the first sessions scheduled for August 13 from noon-2pm and 5-7pm at the Canvas and Kettle meeting room in Murwillumbah.
The following day, August 14, two information sessions will be held at the South Sea Islander Room at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre, at the same times.
Copies of the draft plan are available from council's website and printed versions are available at council's Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah offices and from Kingscliff's library.
Residents are encouraged to make a submission in writing by close of business on August 30.
For more, contact Mr Rose on 02 6670 2476 or email drose@tweed.nsw.gov.au.
