Central Floodplain Risk Management Committee - 17/06/2026

Topics

• Flood plan for St Georges Basin endorsed for Council adoption
  Committee backs updated floodplain risk management study after community feedback, with minor changes and a new floodgate investigation at Sussex Inlet.
  The plan can shape flood mitigation works, emergency access and development controls in a known flood-prone area.
• Council shifts flood committees to project-based model
  Council staff said this was the final meeting of the standing floodplain committee, with future committees formed only for specific projects through expressions of interest.
  This changes how future flood studies and related projects will be governed and who can participate.

Decisions

• Minutes confirmed
  The committee confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 April 2024.
  No direct service change, but confirms the committee's previous decisions and record.
• St Georges Basin Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan endorsed
  The committee endorsed the St Georges Basin Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2026) for Council adoption. The study incorporated community feedback and minor updates, including improved clarity and an additional floodgate investigation at Sussex Inlet.
  Affects flood planning, future development controls, drainage planning and emergency access in the St Georges Basin and Sussex Inlet area.

Discussion

• Final meeting of the standing floodplain committee
  Council staff advised that this was the final meeting of the Central Floodplain Risk Management Committee, with future committees to be formed on a project-by-project basis through an expression of interest process.
  Changes how future floodplain projects will be overseen and who may be involved in them.
• Flood study feedback themes
  Community feedback on the flood study showed strong overall support, with key issues including drainage, emergency access and development controls.
  These issues can affect how flooding is managed, where building controls apply and how residents access areas during emergencies.

Impacts

• Floodplain planning for St Georges Basin is moving closer to Council adoption.
• The plan may influence future drainage works, emergency access arrangements and development controls.
• Further investigation of a floodgate at Sussex Inlet may affect local flood mitigation planning.
• Future flood-related committees will be created only for specific projects, not as a standing committee.

Places

• St Georges Basin (locality)
  Subject of the endorsed Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2026).
• Sussex Inlet (locality)
  Site of an additional floodgate investigation included in the updated plan.

Next

• Report the committee's endorsement to Council via a separate City Services report
  Upcoming Council reporting cycle
• Make the flood study information available on Council's website with these minutes
  Immediately after meeting publication
• Transition to a project-based committee model and invite expressions of interest for future committees
  After completion of the current project

Extract

Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE CENTRAL FLOODPLAIN RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Meeting Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2026 Location: Jervis Bay Room, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra Time: 4.10pm The following members were present: Mayor Patricia White - Chairperson Mrs Janis Natt Mr David Reynolds (Remote) Mr Colin Bron - (NSW SES) State Emergency Service (Remote) Ms Tracy Provest - (NSW SES) State Emergency Service (Remote) Ms Amanda Pollock - (NSW SES) State Emergency Service (Remote) Mr Nathan Pomfret – (DCCEEW) Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (Remote) Others present: Mr Luke Evans - Rhelm (Remote) Mr Craig Exton - Acting Director City Services Mr A...