Works are currently underway on a feasibility study to investigate implementing water management options included in Moree Plains Shire Council's flood management plan.
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In October last year, council secured $137,000 from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to undertake the feasibility study, which involves working through the recommendations in the the Moree and Environs Floodplain Risk Management Plan, adopted by council in May 2019.
Since then, council has recently appointed consulting engineers Dryside Engineering (DSE) to undertake this work.
Dryside is on the ground in the Moree Plains this week, for the first time since their appointment.
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While in Moree, Dryside will commence investigations into the identified potential flood protection measures, as recommended for further investigation in the flood management plan, which aim to reduce the impact of major flood events on the community in Moree.
The measures to be further investigated include alterations to planning controls for high risk residential areas; the feasibility of raising a number of roads in town to facilitate safe evacuation prior to, and during, a flood; raising the northern approach to Dr Geoffrey Hunter Bridge on Balo Street and developing a helicopter landing area at Yarraman (including reducing the number of powerlines and/or relocating such services for safety).
Dryside has also been engaged as part of the feasibility study to scrutinise and review the flood protection measure identified in the plan's recommendations which has raised most concern for many community members - the potential Moree town levee.
These investigations will involve onsite meetings with identified stakeholders as well as meeting with members of council's Floodplain Risk Management Committee.
Mayor Katrina Humphries, who also chairs the committee, said that the plan aims to benefit all community members and that council will act based on the best technical information available.
"Moree is no stranger to floods; in 2011 and 2012 we experienced floods that displaced residents from all areas of Moree Plains Shire," she said.
"The vicious cycle of droughts and flooding rains is a reality for our community and council will strive to ensure our homes and businesses are prepared for this.
"The committee are pleased to be moving forward with the feasibility study and associated investigations and welcome the opportunity to have input into that process.
"We also encourage community members to contribute to this process."
Once the feasibility study is completed, council will work together with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall to secure future funding to support any physical flood mitigation works.
For more details in relation to Floodplain Risk Management in the Moree Plains, see Council's website Hot Topics Floodplain Risk Management.
Interested community members should provide their comments to Council's Engineering Services team so these can be passed onto Dryside.
