Broughton Creek flood study stalls with no interim works planned

Broughton Creek residents will have to wait for flood planning after Shoalhaven City Council failed to approve a contribution for the study in the upcoming financial year, preventing a grant application and leaving no interim works planned.

Council staff told the Northern Floodplain Risk Management Committee the Broughton Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan would be reconsidered in the next funding cycle. A grant application is possible in May 2027 if Council secures the required co-contribution.

No interim works are currently planned because of limited resources. Staff said advocacy to Council could help prioritise the project in a future funding decision.

The delay was discussed as the committee endorsed the Lower Shoalhaven River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2026) for Council adoption. The recommendation will be submitted to Council through a separate City Services report.

The Lower Shoalhaven plan is intended to guide future flood-risk reduction projects and funding applications across the Lower Shoalhaven River area. Its actions will be implemented over time.

The plan’s project ranking also drew discussion. Hay Avenue remains a higher-priority project because raising the road would address significant life-safety risks linked to isolation during floods.

The Zealand Creek drainage investigation was raised from low to medium priority after community feedback, including support for the project and concerns about localised flooding. It was not raised to high priority because of its limited effect on reducing risks to people and property.

Council staff said rankings inform funding applications but do not prevent medium-priority projects from progressing. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water advised that cost-benefit outcomes and overall risk reduction carry more weight in applications than whether an action is ranked medium or high.

The Northern Floodplain Risk Management Committee also held its final meeting after the conclusion of the current project. Future engagement will take place through project-specific committees established as needed, with expressions of interest and invitations provided to interested participants.