governance · Inner West Council
Inner West flood committee opens meetings to public speakers
Inner West Council’s Flood Management Advisory Committee unanimously changed its rules so residents can speak on agenda items at the start of meetings, then received an update on the South Marrickville Flood Study covering about 6,500 residents and business owners.
Inner West Council’s Flood Management Advisory Committee has unanimously changed its terms of reference so members of the public can speak on agenda items at the start of meetings. The change was adopted at the committee’s 4 March meeting, after a November 2025 resolution to amend the rules.
Cr Andrew Blake moved the motion and Michael Carney seconded it. The minutes say the wording in section 7.4 was refined so residents can address the committee on any agenda item at the start of a meeting.
The committee also received a status update on the South Marrickville Flood Study, described as the final primary catchment in the local government area still needing a flood study. The study area covers southern Dulwich Hill and south-west Marrickville, generally bound by New Canterbury Road and Garnet Avenue and draining to the Cooks River.
Council said about 6,500 residents and business owners had been contacted in the consultation. The first round began on 9 February and closes on 15 March 2026. An online have-your-say page is open, and two in-person sessions are scheduled for 5 March and 10 March.
The study is being carried out by Stantec over 18 months and is expected to run through about eight stages and three community engagement rounds. The consultants said the work will map flood behaviour across the catchment, showing where water goes, how deep it gets, where the key flow paths are and where the problem areas sit.
Members also discussed flooding from the previous week on City West Link in Haberfield, Parramatta Road in Summer Hill, Sloane Street and Sydenham Road, as well as Riverside Crescent, Hawthorne Parade and Ramsay Street in Haberfield, Fraser Street and Marrickville Road in Marrickville, and Liberty Street in Stanmore.
Robert Baker of the SES said two flood rescues were carried out at Riverside Crescent. The meeting also heard that photos and videos will be supplied for consultation work, and that Council should document the recent flood event for use in later flood studies.
The committee noted broader state work, including the draft Climate Change and Natural Hazards SEPP now on exhibition and a forthcoming round of floodplain management grants expected to open within two weeks. Council also continues to advocate for upgrades to Railway Parade, which was described as a state road.
The South Marrickville study is also intended to support community safety and awareness, emergency response and evacuation planning, land use planning and development assessment, and future flood risk reduction opportunities where practical. Council says it will keep using the study to inform mapping, planning and mitigation work across the catchment.
Reference minutes
Source: Inner West Council Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting minutes, 4 March 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Flood Management Advisory Committee unanimously adopted amended terms of reference.
- The change allows members of the public to address the committee on agenda items at the start of meetings.
- Cr Andrew Blake moved the motion and Michael Carney seconded it.
- The South Marrickville Flood Study covers southern Dulwich Hill and south-west Marrickville, generally bound by New Canterbury Road and Garnet Avenue.
- Council said about 6,500 residents and business owners were contacted for consultation.
- Consultation started on 9 February 2026 and closes on 15 March 2026.
- Two in-person consultation sessions were scheduled for 5 March and 10 March 2026.
Why it matters
- Residents now have a formal way to speak directly to the flood committee, while the South Marrickville study will shape flood mapping, planning and future mitigation across the catchment.