Thank you to those who provided feedback on the Draft Prospect Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP).

The draft plan was provided to Council’s Floodplain Management Committee for review on 19 June 2024, where it was endorsed to be presented to Council.

The Draft Prospect Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan was then endorsed and adopted by Council at the 23 July 2024 Ordinary Meeting. See Agenda /Minutes, item 8.1. The adopted plan can be viewed here.

Notes on feedback received

During the consultation period a number of residents raised issues regarding flood affectations on their properties. These notations are a result of the previous Flood Study process and outside the scope of the Prospect Creek FRMSP, with the focus of the Plan to use the Flood Study data to understand current and potential flooding conditions to identify and prioritise flood risk management options. If you have an enquiry regarding the specific flood affectations on your property please contact haveyoursay@cbcity.nsw.gov.au.

Concerns were raised relating to the potential stormwater / flooding impacts of recent development in the area, specifically duplex developments with a significant increase in hardstand for properties.

Certain residential development including dual occupancies and secondary dwellings (duplexes and granny flats) have been facilitated under the NSW State Legislation which override Council's local planning controls. Notwithstanding, these developments are required to manage stormwater on site which may include on-site detention systems, rainwater tanks and the like to manage potential impacts to Council's stormwater infrastructure as well as mitigate impacts to adjoining properties.

Multiple residents raised concerns regarding regular stormwater ponding on Denman Road near the intersection with Henry Lawson Drive.

The focus of the Prospect Creek FRMSP is on regional overland flowpaths in the study area rather than local road drainage and as a result this was not considered for a specific option in the final Prospect Creek FRMSP. As a local issue, this has been referred to the relevant Council team for investigation and will be considered as Council undertakes planning work for the Denman Road resurfacing project (2026/27 draft capital works program).

Requests for a local evacuation centre in Georges Hall.

Education and understanding of stormwater management is an important component of managing flood risk. Council worked closely with the State Emergency Service in the development of the Prospect Creek FRMSP as it recommends a number of programs to improve community flood awareness. Feedback regarding locations of local evacuation centres will be provided directly to the State Emergency Service for consideration.

A concern was raised in relation to the proposed Harden Reserve basin retrofit option, specifically to the merit of the option with limited stormwater flows observed in the area.

Harden Reserve already functions as a containment basin, the proposal outlined in the Prospect Creek FRMSP is to increase the existing basin by 0.8m to provide additional detention storage. This will not impact flood risk to properties, rather provide additional capacity to accommodate stormwater flows.