Gosford City Council is leading the way in floodplain risk management planning, with the official launch of its Managing Flood Risk DVD today. This official launch follows the industry release of this vital planning tool at the 2013 National Floodplain Management Association (FMA) Conference at Tweed Heads late last month.

Created by Council’s Integrated Planning Unit, the management tool is an industry first and the result of the overwhelming response received to a ‘Virtual Field Trip’ designed by Council when it hosted the FMA Conference in February 2010.

Council’s Interim Director Environment and Planning, Eddie Love, said the resource was developed to assist communities and government agencies in understanding and managing the risks of potential future flooding emergencies within all communities across Australia.

“Gosford City Council has developed this unique resource tool to ensure existing and future communities are not placed at unnecessary risk due to flooding events. 

“This planning tool provides a better understanding of why undertaking a Floodplain Risk Management process is beneficial and the vital steps involved in undertaking such a process. 

“It visually illustrates the steps in undertaking a typical floodplain risk management process, similar to that recommended by the State Government in their Floodplain Development Manual.  The planning tool portrays the importance of providing the necessary data and involving all stakeholders particularly before and during a flood emergency. It also allows for more informed decisions to be made with regards to flood mitigation works, development controls and future land use.

“The resource should also enable enhanced coordination and higher efficiency from various agencies involved in flood emergency management, which will ultimately benefit all communities,” said Mr Love.

 The instrumental planning tool is designed to be used by various levels of government, councillors, floodplain committees, engineers, planners, students, Emergency Services (SES) volunteers and local service providers.

 “This resource is proving very popular among users, with the NSW SES already requesting additional copies for training sessions with its volunteers.

 “Content from the resource is also being used as a teaching tool in the Floodplain Risk Management Course at the University of Technology in Sydney, which is designed for engineers and planners who are engaged in the Floodplain Management process, as well as local government councillors and community representatives on floodplain risk management committees,” said Mr Love.

Mr Love has acknowledged the contribution of other agencies and levels of government in developing this resource.

“Council successfully sought grant funding from the NSW Ministry for Police and Emergency Services Natural Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme 2010/11 to assist in developing this planning tool. 

“In addition, the NSW State Government, in acknowledging the importance of the planning tool, provided further funding for Gosford Council to undertake this pioneer project,” said Mr Love.

The Managing Flood Risk resource can be viewed online at http://goo.gl/3q2bF or at www.floods.org.au