Flood plan recommended with only 'minor updates'
Central Coast Council staff have recommended that the Woy Woy Flood Plain Management Study and Plan be adopted with only "minor updates" at tomorrow night's Council meeting.
The staff warned that funding would not be available to the council if the plan was not adopted.
"Choosing to not adopt the draft plan would deem Council ineligible for possible future grant funding to implement the recommended management actions to alleviate flooding in this catchment," the report in the meeting agenda states.
The plan was exhibited between January 18 and February 15, and 38 public submissions were received.
As a result, "minor amendments" were made which include "to note the impact of a future review of Council's sea level rise projections" and discussion of the capabilities of Woy Woy Public Hospital and about access and evacuation during extreme flood events.
The changes also include increased emphasis on planning to increase infiltration and open spaces and that any rezoning consider more flood-compatible development.
However, the plan's proposed actions remain unchanged.
The plan gives high priority to "land use and development control planning recommendations" and to flood education programs within five years.
It also gives high priority to "landform adaptation" within in 10 years.
Medium priority within five years is property education and compliance, a review of evacuation centre locations and flood warning signs.
Medium priority within 10 years is the installation of six "infiltration devices" in low-lying streets.
A review of flood warning systems is given low priority for action within 10 years.
The report notes that adoption of the plan "does not commit Council to implementing landform adaptation, including the land raising" in low-lying area subject to tidal inundation.
The plan "recommends further feasibility assessment" before this would happen.
"Detailed economic feasibility analysis and community consultation would also be undertaken.
"This would involve the inclusion of the unquantified benefits and would also typically involve a more detailed understanding of design, costs and community input," the report stated.
Indeed, adoption of the plan does not seem to commit the council to taking any action.
The report states: "Implementation of the plan is not only dependent upon external grant funding and a positive feasibility outcome but also availability of internal funding to match the grant funding.
"Actions will be ... implemented as resources allow."
Mitigation works would be "ranked against other mitigation works" across the region.
"Adoption of the plan itself does not have any financial impact upon Council."
The report gave only two options, to adopt the report or to not adopt the report, and recommended adoption.
SOURCE:
Central Coast Council agenda 3.8, 27 Jun 2023