Flood information is wanted

Gosford Council is wanting residents to provide information about flooding on the Peninsula, or flood-related issues, by completing a questionnaire.

The questionnaire can be downloaded from council's website at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au, or obtained from Woy Woy and Umina Libraries.

"If you have any information or photographs which you feel would be useful for the study it would be greatly appreciated," said council Flooding and Drainage planning engineer Mr Jim Gowing.

The questionnaire should be completed by October 29 and sent to consultants DHI Water and Environment, Reply Paid 626, Broadway NSW 2007.

Council initiated the study of flooding on the Peninsula as part of a floodplain management program which aims to reduce the impact of flooding on the community.

The study area comprises the Woy Woy Peninsula which is bounded by Brisbane Water to the north and east, Broken Bay to the south and Brisbane Water National Park to the west.

The first stage of the study will investigate past flooding events on the Woy Woy Peninsula.

The study will "seek to specifically determine all flooding behaviour on the Peninsula".

The questionnaire urges residents to provide information, saying: "Your knowledge of any flooding events would be greatly appreciated."

"Council records show that many areas on the Woy Woy Peninsula are prone to flooding," according to a newsletter produced by DHI Water and Environment.

"Flooding is due to a variety of causes.

"It may be the result of long duration rainfall events, storm tides and the effects of groundwater.

"Ponded water generally remains on the ground surface for several days until it infiltrates into the ground or evaporates.

"Gosford Council has commenced a process to investigate floodplain management strategies in accordance with guidelines set out in the New South Wales Floodplain Development Manual.

"Information about past flooding events will be combined with the results of computer models to describe the depth and extent of flooded areas."

The consultants said they were interested in receiving photographs, flood levels, and any other relevant information.

Personal follow up interviews were available for interested residents.

"If you have any information on flooding in the study area, or thoughts on important flood related issues, we would like to hear from you," the newsletter reported.

For further information, telephone DHI Water and Environment on 9213 5700 or Peninsula Residents' Association representative Ms Sheelagh Noonan on 0419 609 942.

Press release, 3 Oct 2007 Jim Gowing, Gosford Council Newsletter, 11 Oct 2007 DHI Water and Environment