Flood Management Advisory Committee - 4 Mar 2026 3:30 PM

Topics

• Council changes committee rules so residents can speak on flood agenda items
  Committee adopts revised terms of reference to let the public address meetings at the start of agenda items.
  Residents now have a clearer formal avenue to raise flood concerns directly with decision-makers.
• South Marrickville Flood Study moves into consultation phase
  A major flood study has started, with 6,500 letters sent and community sessions scheduled as modelling begins.
  The study will shape future flood maps, planning and emergency management in a significant catchment near the Cooks River.
• Recent flooding hits multiple inner-west roads
  Committee members flagged widespread flooding across arterial and local roads after the previous week’s rain.
  The discussion identifies flood hot spots and reinforces pressure for mitigation works and state-road upgrades.

Decisions

• Updated Terms of Reference adopted
  The committee endorsed amended terms of reference so members of the public can address the committee on agenda items at the start of meetings.
  Gives residents a direct way to speak on flood-related issues being considered by the committee.
• South Marrickville Flood Study update received
  The committee received and noted the status update on the flood study, including consultation progress and next investigation steps.
  Signals ongoing work that will shape flood mapping, planning and future mitigation measures for affected residents.

Discussion

• Public speaking rights at committee meetings
  The terms of reference were amended following a previous resolution to allow public addresses on any agenda item, with wording refined in section 7.4.
  Residents will be able to participate more directly in flood management discussions.
• South Marrickville Flood Study consultation
  Council said about 6,500 residents and business owners were contacted, with an online have-your-say page and two in-person sessions scheduled on 5 March and 10 March.
  Residents in the catchment can contribute local flooding information and photos to the study.
• Recent flooding across multiple local roads
  Members discussed flooding on City West Link, Parramatta Road, Sloane Street, Sydenham Road, Riverside Crescent, Hawthorne Parade, Ramsay Street, Fraser Street, Marrickville Road and Illawarra Road.
  Highlights current flood hot spots affecting motorists, businesses and households.
• State and planning policy changes
  The committee noted the draft Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP exhibition and broader state flood management and warning system initiatives.
  Future planning rules and warning systems could affect development, insurance and flood risk management locally.

Impacts

• Residents in South Marrickville, Marrickville, Haberfield, Summer Hill and Stanmore may have opportunities to provide flood feedback and evidence.
• Flood mapping and modelling may influence future planning, emergency management and mitigation works.
• Road users on affected corridors may continue to face flood disruption during heavy rain.
• A new public speaking process makes it easier for residents to raise agenda items directly with the committee.

Places

• South Marrickville (suburb/catchment area)
  Area covered by the flood study and consultation.
• Marrickville (suburb)
  Mentioned in relation to local flooding on Marrickville Road and Fraser Street.
• Haberfield (suburb)
  Flooding discussed on City West Link and local streets in the area.
• Summer Hill (suburb)
  Flooding noted on Parramatta Road.
• Stanmore (suburb)
  Flooding noted on Liberty Street.
• City West Link (road)
  Reported as flooded during the recent rain event.
• Parramatta Road (road)
  Reported as flooded in Summer Hill.
• Sydenham Road (road)
  Multiple flooding locations were recorded.

Next

• Implement the amended terms of reference and public speaking arrangements
  Immediate
• Continue South Marrickville Flood Study consultation, including two in-person sessions
  5 March 2026 and 10 March 2026
• Proceed with site inspection and initial hydrological and hydraulic modelling
  During the study period
• Compile flood photos and records from the recent event with SES input
  Next week / ahead of modelling calibration
• Follow up on Railway Parade upgrade advocacy and state-road flooding issues
  Ongoing
• Review the proposed Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP and prepare a Council submission
  During current exhibition period
• Consider floodplain management grant applications
  Next 2 weeks, with a 6-week application window

Extract

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting 4 March 2026 1 Minutes of the Flood Risk Management Advisory Committee Meeting 4 March 2026 Directorate Name Infrastructure Date / Time 4 March 2026 – 3:30pm Venue Microsoft Teams Chairperson Councillor Andrew Blake Voting Attendees Clr Mat Howard * (joined 4:07pm) Clr Andrew Blake Michael Carney (SES) David Chick Matthew Murphy Jaan Ranniko Bowen Hicks Non – Voting Technical Advisory Attendees Peter Shields (IWC) David Paton (IWC) Rafaah Georges (IWC) James Ogg (IWC) Hans Meijer (IWC) Observers Tiffanie Ong (IWC) Martin Griffin (Stantec) Amir Montakhab (Stantec) David Grasby (Sydney Water) Robert Baker (SES) Richard Murphy (DCCEEW) Apologies Tim...