ACF branch calls for flood zone moratorium

The Central Coast branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation has called for a moratorium on development in the Peninsula's flood zones.

"It is astonishing, considering the past 50 years of flooding events on the Woy Woy Peninsula, that the Central Coast Council has not included any substantial funding for flood mitigation in the 2017-18 operational plan and totally ignored the submissions from community members related to recent flooding incidents," said branch president Mr Mark Ellis.

"Is this a case of the current council being unaware of the past studies and significant issues that flooding has on the residents?" Mr Ellis said.

"Are they not aware of the increased impacts from climate change on the Peninsula, or have they no funds and are still looking for that famous red cent?" he said.

Why is Council not heeding its own policy of drainage which says it is totally inadequate on the Peninsula?"

"Why are they not implementing the coastal flood risk management and coastal processes or climate change adaptation reports and recommendations?

"The Council and State Government both want to place more people into the Peninsula yet not provide the funding or infrastructure to support the population expansion and impacts of flooding and rising sea levels.

"We've had over 10 years of discussing and planning for flood risk management, climate change and sea level rise, but what has actually transpired on the Woy Woy Peninsula, for all that money and planning?

"Nothing," Mr Ellis said.

"Whilst some people want to increase development within the flood zones around the Woy Woy town centre and foreshores, the issues of essential services, such as the police station and health services, being able to operate, as well as water, sewerage, drainage and energy security, need to be a addressed.

"Such issues stand alongside the increased impacts of flooded roads with more traffic congestion and increased demand for a train system already under stress," he said.

According to Mr Ellis, Council's own policy states: "It is equally important that a sea level rise planning level is a consideration in all asset management and capital works project planning.

"Planning for sea level rise and, more broadly, climate change is, and will be, over the coming years, very challenging and demanding for council."

Mr Ellis said: "That doesn't mean 'do nothing' as the current Council administration is doing, as they neglect the flooding issues on the Peninsula, whilst developments and more people are crammed in.

"The inconveniences and impact on the local residents and businesses from increased flooding are not given any thought by the current regime.

"Before we continue with any increases in population and major development in the designated flood zones of the Peninsula, we need to enact meaningful climate adaption plans that will protect and secure the roadways, rail line, business and residential premises.

"Those in the direct line of fire from sea level rise are shown and discussed in management area 14 of the Brisbane Water Flood Plain Risk Management Plan," he said.

"The members of this branch support progressive, sustainable developments that fall within the character statements of the area and correspond to the compact city model that is supported by infrastructure and services that enhance and protect the live-ability of the city.

"Developments such as the current Sporties proposal are within an area designated for community benefit, where the roads are already impacted by tidal inundation.

"There needs to be a moratorium on major development in the designated flood zones across the Peninsula until Council starts funding the designated management options in its policy to raise roads like Brick Wharf Rd and North Burge Rd, implement flood warning signage and start building levee banks and sea walls around the waterfront.

"Many dismiss climate change and sea level rise, and think it's something that happens in other places like the Kirribati islands.

"We have only to look at our own backyard to see similar low-level townships around the world that are already being inundated by sea level rise like Miami, Florida, in America.

"The time of discussing how society is going to restrict the impacts of climate change is over.

"All levels of governments and community need to be working together towards adaption to protect the places where we live, work and recreate in and around the Peninsula and, indeed, the whole Central Coast," Mr Ellis said.

SOURCES:

Media release, 1 Aug 2017

Mark Ellis, ACF Central Coast