No department funds, yet

I refer to your article "Flood Works For Middle Creek", (Peninsula News, October 2000) about the funding of flood mitigation works for Middle Creek, Pearl Beach.

I wish to clarify the funding allocations because some of the information in the article could be misleading to the public.

When Council nominates flood mitigation works under its three-year Capital Works Program, it anticipates some funding from the State and/or the Commonwealth Governments based on previous years' receipt of grants.

This does not mean that the necessary funding approvals have been received from the government departments and that Council will receive the anticipated grants.

However your article indicates that a sum of $354,000 will come from the Department of Land and Water Conservation. This statement is not correct.

Normally the State and Commonwealth governments approve flood mitigation grant funding year by year.

If grant funds are approved for a particular flood mitigation project, Council needs to allocate funds to match the approved grant funds.

This is the reason why, when Council is programming its three-year Capital Works, it allows funds to match the potential grant allocations.

I trust the above information clarifies the flood grant funding.

Vic Tysoe, Manager - Flooding and Drainage Unit, Gosford City Council