Agenda of Flood Management Advisory Committee

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

26 February 2025

Minutes of the Flood Risk Management Advisory Committee Meeting - 24 July 2024

Directorate Name	Infrastructure
Date / Time	24 July 2024 - 2:00 PM
Venue	Microsoft Teams
Chairperson	Councillor Mat Howard
Voting Attendees	Clr Mat Howard	Clr Marghanita Da Cruz	Tim Harnett (CR)
Voting Attendees	Shad Wall (CR)	Michael Carney (SES)
Non – Voting Technical Advisory Attendees	Ryann Midei (IWC)	David Paton (IWC)	James Ogg (IWC)
	Rafaah Georges (IWC)	Sadeq Zaman (DCCEEW)	Martin Griffin (Stantec)
	Alireza Pouya (Stantec)
Observers	Klaus Neuscheler (SES)	Helen Slater (SES)	Robert Baker (SES)
	Cian Currie (SES)	Habba Rahimi (Stantec)	Jogo Jayanti (City of Sydney)
	Tiffanie Ong (IWC)	Adriana Fiorussi (IWC)	Christy Li (IWC)
Apologies	Alexander Bailey (SES)

1. 2. Acknowledgement Of Country – Clr Howard

I acknowledge that we are meeting on the land of the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation and pay my respects to the elders past and present and I extend that respect and acknowledgement to any Aboriginal people who are here with us today.

3. Disclosures of Interest

Nil.

4. Confirmation of Minutes of 29 February 2024 Flood Management Advisory Committee

That the Minutes of the Flood Risk Management Advisory Committee Meeting held on 27 July 2023 be confirmed

The minutes were confirmed by Councillor Da Cruz and seconded by Councillor Howard.

5. Staff Reports

5. 1 - FMACC0724(1) Item 1 Outstanding Actions Register

SUMMARY

The following table provides the status of outstanding actions from previous Flood Management Advisory Committee meetings.

Meeting	Item	Actions	Comments	Status
29/2/24	4.1	That the Flood Management Advisory Committee endorse the updated Terms of Reference subject to replacing Transport for NSW Roads with Transport for NSW.	The Terms of Reference were adopted by Council at its meeting on 9 April 2024	Completed
29/2/24	5.1	That the Flood Management Advisory Committee support the schedule of actions to be taken to facilitate flood education within Inner West Council.	Noted	No action required
29/2/24	5.2	That Council develop communications regarding flooding and relevant services in the local area including the SES that can be made available through customer service centres, libraries and be made available to local real estate or rental agencies for new residents to the local community	An update will be provided at the next Committee meeting	In Progress
29/2/24	5.3	That Council better support and promote the activities of the SES, including in our local newsletter.	An update will be provided at the next Committee meeting	In Progress
29/2/24	5.4	That in the development of the Flood Information Hub, Council work to make emergency information for accessible and visible, that Council investigates the reporting of local road closure information.	An update will be provided at the next Committee meeting	In Progress
29/2/24	5.5	That the proposed information sessions undertaken with the Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and Johnstons Creek Whites Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan be undertaken with SES Officers.	SES Officers participated in the four information sessions during the exhibition period.	Completed
29/2/24	5.6	That Council investigate the publication of evacuation routes among consideration of public signage.	An update will be provided at the next Committee meeting	In Progress
29/2/24	5.7	That Council engage directly with community groups on the foreshore impacted by flooding.	An update will be provided at the next Committee meeting	In Progress
29/2/24	7.1	That the Flood Management Advisory Committee endorse the public exhibition of the Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.	Council resolved to exhibit the Study and Plan at its meeting on 9 April 2024. Exhibition is now complete, with its outcomes being tabled at July committee meeting	Completed
29/2/24	7.2	That the Flood Management Advisory Committee endorse the public exhibition of the Johnstons Creek and Whites Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan	Council resolved to exhibit the Study and Plan at its meeting on 9 April 2024. Exhibition is now complete, with its outcomes being tabled at July committee meeting	Completed

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That the Outstanding Actions Register be received and noted.

DISCUSSION

Council Officers advised that there were 10 actions that came from the previous meeting, one of which was just for noting therefore no further action was required. It was noted that items 4.1, 5.5, 7.1, and 7.2 have been completed and there are currently 5 remaining actions.

Council Officers advised that items 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, and 5.7 were currently in progress and that an update will be provided at the next Committee meeting. It was advised that the ‘Outstanding Actions Register’ will remain on the agenda as a reoccurring item so that Council can provide progress updates on outstanding items to the Committee.

Councillor Da Cruz and Councillor Howard questioned whether the invitation to the Footprints festival and other events had been sent to the Ashfield, Leichhardt, and Marrickville SES teams.

Robert Baker advised that he was unaware the Marrickville SES had received any invitations.

Councillor Howard requested that Council Officers send the event invitations to the Ashfield, Leichhardt, and Marrickville SES teams.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

That the Outstanding Actions Register be received and noted.

For Motion: Unanimous

5.2 - FMACC0724(1) Item 2 Flood Mitigation and Upcoming Projects

SUMMARY

Council have adopted four Flood Risk Management Study and Plans to date, with an additional two to be reported to Council for adoption in September 2024. These Flood Risk Management Study and Plans outline proposed flood mitigation options across the Local Government Area in order of priority or in accordance with cost benefit throughout their relevant catchments.

Council have implemented a number of flood mitigation actions across the Local Government Area, including:

· A review of structural mitigation options identified in Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans

· A grant application for the Marrickville South Flood Study,

· Progressed grant funded flood mitigation designs at Lord Street Newtown and three other locations in Marrickville and Newtown,

· Responded to a significant flood event in April 2024, and

· CCTV inspections, cleaning and maintenance to stormwater assets.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

The Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note this report.

DISCUSSION

Council Officers advised that there are a total of 6 Flood Risk management studies; these include the Eastern Channel Subcatment study, Marrickville Valley study, Leichhardt (whole former LGA area) study, Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal study, Alexandra Canal study, and the Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek study. It was noted that these 6 studies have come up with almost 100 projects altogether with a total estimated cost of $350 million. Council Officers advised they are continuing to prioritise these projects and noted that the outcomes of the exhibition of the final Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan would be up for discussion and endorsement later in the agenda.

Council Officers noted in the report that the Marrickville South area is the last major area in the LGA in which we do not have a modern flood study. Council Officers advised they have applied for a grant with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water to undertake that study between this year and next year. It was noted Council are currently waiting on confirmation of that grant which usually comes in October.

Council Officers advised that there were 2 designs from the Eastern Channel Subcatchment study and 2 designs from the Marrickville Valley Flood Risk Management Study they were progressing. One of the designs is the Lord Street truck drainage duplication which arose from the Eastern Channel study. It was noted that the Metro works had provided an extension and duplication of the pipe to Bedwin Road and Council are currently doing the second half of the works from Bedwin Road to Lord Street so that options can be reviewed for a Lord Street extension in future years. Council Officers advised they were successful in a grant this year for the progression of 3 further designs; 2 from the Marrickville Valley Flood Risk Management Study and one which extends from the Eastern Channel Flood Risk Management plan to extend the pipeline on Edgeware Road coming down to Alice Street to create additional capacity and drain the water from the street into the Sydney Water pipeline. The 2 designs from the Marrickville Valley Flood Risk Management study consist of proposed pipe inlet upgrades and pipe extensions to the existing networks to capture more flow in the upper catchments rather than having the water sit on the surface. It was noted that this grant was part of the Disaster Recovery Fund and that Council has 12 months to complete the design work. It was advised that moving forward the list of projects will be prioritised in conjunction with strategic planning whilst factoring potential issues to create a prioritised delivery plan of projects.

Councillor Da Cruz noted that there were comments from the Community regarding flooding in Weekley park and questioned if there were any works proposed for that area.

Council Officers advised that it was a very localised issue around the overflow of water that sits above a property however it was not at a level which gets captured by the flood risk management studies and plans as the issues were more localised and the cost benefit was contained to the area rather than across the catchment. Council Officers advised that they were progressing the designs into future financial year design programs to get the localised upgrades.

Councillor Howard queried what upgrades were planned for Malakoff Street, Marrickville.

Council Officers advised that there were plans to extend the existing trunk drainage line with small inlets going into the line with the proposed concept design being about extending the pipeline up and down the streets to get more catchments going into the large canal to prevent the canals from filling up and flooding.

Councillor Howard noted that residents have advised that Jarvie Lane near the bottom of Malakoff Street is also experiencing similar issues and questioned whether the proposed upgrades will assist with the issues in Jarvie Lane.

Council Officers advised that the upgrades should assist with more frequent floods however with larger events there will still be some overflow. It was advised that the idea is to pick up the water at the higher points of the street so it is not running down that road and sitting at the local low points of the road.

Councillor Howard questioned whether the proposed works will also assist with the similar issues experienced in Northcote Street adjacent to Malakoff Street.

Council Officers advised that Northcote Street is experiencing similar issues to Malakoff Street whereby the water cannot get into the pipe so it is sitting on the road. It was noted that the proposed works should assist with alleviating the issues experienced in Northcote Street.

Robert Baker noted there reportedly may be a new Cooks River Flood Study and questioned if Council could provide some more details on that.

Council Officers advised that the Cooks River Flood Study will not be progressing this year. It was advised that the Department of Planning and the Councils that make up the Cooks River alliance were not able to progress a full catchment study this year. Council Officers noted that there is a Cooks River Rhine study that had been done 15 years ago that takes that whole Cooks River catchment and runs it as one catchment to see when the river is breaking its banks and rising from the banks. It was noted that Council’s current flood studies look more into the overland flow catchments which looks at how the rain comes down and what happens locally. Council Officers advised there is a desire to update the old study with new rainfall data and new modelling techniques. It was advised that there has been some scoping studies that were done last year within the Cooks River Alliance to take into account what Councils have done, (i.e. what studies and overland studies in the local area have been done) to be able to build from those studies but there won’t be progress on that this year. Council Officers noted that have been in discussion with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water and they also wish to see that study happen so currently it is about finding the right partner that Council can work with to complete the study.

Robert Baker questioned if the SES will be involved in that study.

Council Officers advised that it would be similar to the standard local flood studies where Council will seek to get feedback and input from the SES regarding where they were aware of the flood risks in the area and what issues need to be addressed.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note this report.

For Motion: Unanimous

5.3 FMACC0724(1) Item 3 Outcomes of the exhibition of the final Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

SUMMARY

The draft Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and draft Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan was placed on public exhibition for five weeks from the 4 June to the 12 July 2024.

This report discusses the outcomes of the community engagement held for the Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and the Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and seeks the endorsement of both documents for adoption by Council.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That the Flood Management Advisory Committee note the outcomes of the exhibition of the final draft Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and endorse them to be tabled at Council.

DISCUSSION

Council Officers advised that Alireza Pouya, a representative of Stantec who led the engagement with Council Officer Rafaah Georges will provide a presentation for the Committee.

Alireza Pouya advised that we are currently at stage 7 of the project timeline, being the completion of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan. It was noted that since the last the last Committee meeting, stage 6 (Public Exhibition of Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan) had been completed on 12 July 2024. It was noted that as part of stage 7 (Completion of Flood Risk Management Study and Plan), the final reports were submitted to Council last week.

Alireza Pouya advised that he would present the outcomes of the public exhibition, the comments received from the community, and how these were applied in the final Flood Risk Management Study and Plans (FRMS&P) reports. It was noted that the public exhibition period for both these studies were conducted from 4 June to 12 July 2024 (total period of 5 weeks). During this period the following materials were made available to the community;

· An updated Your Say page was posted for the project, with links to the Draft Final FRMS&P reports including appendices, background information for the study, frequently asked questions, an interactive map showing 1% AEP flood extents and sub-catchment boundaries, a study timeline, details of in-person sessions and a feedback submission section for any comments,

· Notification letters were mailed to all owners and occupants of flood-affected properties in the study area (including the 1 in 100 Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) flood extent and the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) extent), which involved an extensive mailout (318 letters mailed out to Alexandra Canal catchment residents/owners and 2,127 letters mailed out to Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek catchment residents/owners. The letter also notified of the draft report completion and provided a link to the Your Say page for further information and details of the 4 in-person sessions.

Alireza Pouya advised there were 4 in-person information sessions hosted by Council with the attendance of Stantec flood engineers and Council representatives. It was advised that public exhibition materials remained on display for SES representatives and volunteers in between the 2 in-person information sessions held at Marrickville SES (from 13 to 20 June 2024).

Alireza Pouya noted that the Your Say platform received a total of 708 visits across both the Alexandra Canal FRMS&P and Whites Creek and Johnstons Creek FRMS&P project pages with 249 visits for the Alexandra Canal FRMS&P and 459 visits for the Whites Creek and Johnstons Creeks FRMS&P. It was noted that across the public exhibition period, there were 23 recorded responses across both studies through one of the following methods: via phone calls to Council, Your Say comment uploads and questionnaire responses, email responses, or comments made at the in-person sessions held. It was noted that 23 responses translate to a response rate of 1% compared to the 2,445 total mailouts but this is consistent with the response rate received during the initial consultation period for these study areas. It was noted that out of all recorded responses 1 comment related to the Alexandra Canal FRMS&P whilst the remaining comments were related to the Whites Creek and Johnston Creek catchment areas.

Alireza Pouya advised that Council had provided stakeholder with the draft final FRMSP report and as part of this engagement received 2 comments. One comment came from Sydney Water regarding the number of overfloor flooded buildings reported. A clarifying response was provided to Council via an email, to be passed onto Sydney Water. The other comment came from Council’s Strategic Planning team; clarifying responses were provided to Council via email and minor updates to the report were made where necessary, in particular 2 figures and some minor changes to the text.

Alireza Pouya noted that the most common concerns received across the various related to the following:

Not relating to the Flood Risk Management options:

· Localised stormwater issues (not within scope of flood risk), i.e. Maintenance or drainage issues. To be addressed by means of temporary solutions prior to the implementation of mitigation options or otherwise to be captured under Council’s Capital Works.

· General inquiries requesting information about the FRSM&P and clarifications on the proposed mitigation options.

· Recommendations that an overall LGA-wide list of prioritised projects for residents. It is noted that Council is considering consolidating a list of the flood risk management options across the LGA.

Relating to the Flood Risk Management options:

· 5 concerns were raised regarding the flooding (1 within Whites Creek catchment and 4 withing Johnstons Creek catchments)

· Options had been investigated either through preliminary optioneering or detailed option assessment stage at the location mentioned, or

· Council is currently progressing longer term feasibility assessments as part of a separate study, or Council is investigating the issues as part of their capital works program when stormwater or maintenance issues arise (separate from the FRMS&P).

Alireza Pouya advised that upon the public exhibition outcomes and discussion with Council, the following changes to the Draft Final FRMS&P report were made; Sub-heading 4.6 was drafted and added to the report. This subheading articulates public exhibition response outcomes and provides a summary of public comments and some minor updates to the report were made as necessary, like tense of verbs or conclusions and next steps. Alireza Pouya noted that no major changes to the analysis or reporting were required in response to any comments from stakeholder agencies or the community and no changes were made to options proposed or option scoring as a result of community comments. It was also noted that a PDF version of the final FRMS&P report and a Word version with track changes on was shared with Council in an email link last week leading to this meeting.

Tim Harnett questioned if there were any changes to the report following the feedback from the community,

Council Officers advised that the only difference between the report that was provided in the last meeting and the report provided in this meeting was the addition of sub-heading 4.6 which articulates public exhibition response outcomes and provides a summary of public comments. It was advised that other than the addition of the public exhibition comments, the only other changes were minor wording changes, but these did not change the analysis of options provided in the report.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

For Motion: Unanimous

6. General Business

Update from SES Representative

Michael Carney advised that the SES are currently reviewing the flood plans that are in place. It was noted that there was a bit of flooding in the month of April and the SES have been monitoring those areas.

Councillor Howard asked if there was anything Council could do to be of assistance.

Michael Carney advised that Council has been helpful and have been able to provide assistance in a timely manner and noted that it would be helpful if Council could assist with providing road closure information online in the future.

Meeting Closed 2.45pm– Clr Howard

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

26 February 2025

Item No: FMACC0225(1) Item 1

Subject: Outstanding Actions Register

Prepared By: Rafaah Georges - Project Engineer - Stormwater & Emergency Planning

Authorised By: David Paton - Engineering Services Manager

RECOMMENDATION

That the Outstanding Actions Register be received and noted.

OUTSTANDING ACTIONS REGISTER

The following table provides the status of outstanding actions from previous Flood Management Advisory Committee meetings.

Meeting	Item	Actions	Status	Comments
FMAC 29/02/24	5.2	That Council develop communications regarding flooding and relevant services in the local area including the SES that can be made available through customer service centres, libraries and be made available to local real estate or rental agencies for new residents to the local community	In Progress	Council’s existing web page for emergency information has been updated to include information links to support services like SES and Red Cross. Emergencies - Be prepared - Inner West Council
FMAC 29/02/24	5.3	That Council better support and promote the activities of the SES, including in our local newsletter.	Complete	Council has updated the Emergency page on its website to include links to the SES. Council has promoted the activities of the local SES units on its Social Media, including most recently in the strong wind event in January. SES Units have been invited to suitable local festivals, including the Dulwich Hill Festival and Footprints Ecofestival.
FMAC 29/02/24	5.4	That in the development of the Flood Information Hub, Council work to make emergency information for accessible and visible, that Council investigates the reporting of local road closure information.	In Progress	There is currently a wider review into Councils website accessibility, which has deferred the development of the Information Hub. Existing web pages for overall emergency management and flooding information have been updated to include information links to support services like SES and Red Cross. Emergencies - Be prepared - Inner West Council Flooding - Inner West Council Both these pages are available directly from the frontpage menus. Planned road closures are currently reported to state agencies and digital mapping services via the NSW Government OneRoad portal. Council will review capacity to provide similar updates for Emergency operations.
FMAC 29/02/24	5.6	That Council investigate the publication of evacuation routes among consideration of public signage.	In Progress
FMAC 29/02/24	5.7	That Council engage directly with community groups on the foreshore impacted by flooding	In Progress
Ordinary Council 12/11/24	C1124(1) Item 17.2	That Council investigate placing stoppers to maintain the ability for the rainwater to enter the drain without being diverted onto the footpath and ponding creating a safety issue.	In Progress	Traffic and Stormwater Engineers have reviewed the site conditions in Despointes Street. Existing road width does not allow for parking spaces to be provided with wheel stops while remaining compliant with Australian Standards. Alternative design currently being investigated.
Ordinary Council 12/11/24	C1124(1) Item 26.6	That Council provide for members of the public to present to the Flood Risk and Management Committee on flood related matters by establishing a public forum, as is the case with the Inner West Council Traffic Committee.	In Progress	Discussion to occur at upcoming meeting.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

26 February 2025

Item No: FMACC0225(1) Item 2

Subject: Update on adopted Flood Risk Management Plan Options

Prepared By: Rafaah Georges - Project Engineer - Stormwater & Emergency Planning

Authorised By: David Paton - Engineering Services Manager

RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:

1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West

5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

To date, Council has completed and adopted nine Flood Studies and six Flood Risk Management Studies & Plans (FRMSP) across 90% of the Local Government Area including:

· Eastern Channel Subcatchment Management Plan (Golder Associates, 2011)

· Leichhardt Flood Risk Management Study & Plan (Cardno, 2017)

· Marrickville Valley Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (Cardno,2017)

· Dobroyd Canal & Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (WMA, 2019)

· Whites Creek & Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (Stantec, 2024)

· Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (Stantec, 2024)

Marrickville South is the only catchment of the Inner West LGA without a contemporary flood study or flood risk management plan. Council has been successful in securing two-thirds grant funding from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to support the delivery of this Flood Study. Council will be issuing a request for quotation to engage specialist flood consultants in early March.

The completed Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans propose a total package of structural mitigation measures valued at approximately $300 million across assets owned by Council and other utilities, with 26 options considered high priority totalling approximately $105 million.

Council currently budgets $1.5 million to stormwater upgrade projects addressing local catchment issues as well as some of the smaller mitigation investigations and design. Council seeks additional funds through state and federal grants to supplement this work, however due to the limited funding available through these grants, or the increasing level of detailed design required to support such a grant, this is generally beyond the financial capacity of Council to deliver in the short to medium term without significant impact on other Council services.

Currently the primary management actions to manage and mitigate the impact of flooding are therefore primarily dependent on non-structural measures such as planning controls, emergency response planning and reactive maintenance including undertaking CCTV and cleaning of stormwater assets.

BACKGROUND

Inner West Council and the former Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville Councils have been undertaking flood risk studies across the 15 catchments within its LGA since 2009 in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy. The policy specifies a staged approach to the floodplain management process as identified in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Summary of the Floodplain Risk Management Process

To date, Council has completed and adopted nine Flood Studies and six Flood Risk Management Studies & Plans (FRMSP) across 90% of the Local Government Area including:

· Eastern Channel Subcatchment Management Plan (Golder Associates, 2011)

· Leichhardt Flood Risk Management Study & Plan (Cardno, 2017)

· Marrickville Valley Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (Cardno,2017)

· Dobroyd Canal & Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (WMA, 2019)

· Whites Creek & Johnstons Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (Stantec, 2024)

· Alexandra Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (Stantec, 2024)

In addition to the above Council has also completed studies into coastal impacts and mainstream flooding resulting from the overflow of Cooks River, Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour. These studies include:

1. Leichhardt Estuarine Planning Levels Study

2. Cooks River Flood Study

3. Cooks River Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

The studies and plans do not specify a fixed timeline for implementation. Instead, they highlight the mitigation measures that are worthwhile for implementation as funding becomes available or when opportunities arise for Council to seek funding and support through the NSW government. These plans offer a solid foundation for the Council to make informed decisions about carrying out works, planning activities, and creating response strategies to minimise the impact of flooding.

DISCUSSION

The studies and plans collectively provide an extensive list of flood mitigation options, including 89 recommendations for structural management options (ie: pipe upgrades and road infrastructure changes) to reduce the flood hazard in flood affected areas. These options have been prioritised within each plan, based on a cost-benefit analysis and a multi-criteria assessment.

The total cost of the structural mitigation measures across the six adopted Flood Risk Management Plans is approximately $300 million across assets owned by Council and other utilities. Of this total, 26 options are considered high priority totalling approximately $105 million.

Catchment Area	No. Projects Proposed	Total Cost of Proposed Works	Cost of High Priority Works
Leichhardt FRMSP (including Hawthorne Canal, Whites Creek, Johnstons Creek & Foreshore catchments)	25	$215,000,000	$75,000,000
Marrickville Valley FRMSP	33	$35,000,000	$6,700,000
Eastern Channel SMP	10	$10,000,000	$1,000,000
Hawthorne Canal, Ashfield (Hawthorn Canal FRMSP)	5	$4,700,000	$1,800,000
Hawthorne Canal, Marrickville (Hawthorn Canal FRMSP)	5	$4,700,000	$1,800,000
Dobroyd Canal FRMSP	1	$12,700,000	$12,700,000
Whites Creek, Marrickville	1	$2,400,000	-
Johnstons Creek, Marrickville	11	$14,700,000	$5,600,000-
Alexandra Canal	4	$4,900,000	$1,100,000-
Marrickville South		Outstanding	-
William Street Croydon		Outstanding	-
Cooks River (Ashfield)		Outstanding	-
TOTAL		$299,000,000	$103,900,000

Further Actions

1. Major Stormwater Design Upgrades in 2024/25

Completed Projects

- Stormwater Upgrade – Centennial Road, Marrickville

- Inlet Capacity Upgrades – Fitzroy Street, Marrickville

- Inlet Capacity & Pipe Upgrade - Northcote Street, Marrickville

Works Currently in Progress

- Stormwater Replacement & Upgrade - Wortley Street, Balmain

Scheduled Projects

- Kingston Street Pipeline Extension, Haberfield – Upgrading the stormwater pipes and inlets between Dickson Street and Deakin Street - Construction due to commence April 2025

- Camden Street, Enmore Drainage Upgrade – Increasing the stormwater inlet capacity in Camden Street - Construction due to commence April 2025

- Victoria Road, Marrickville Inlet Upgrades – Increasing the inlet capacity in Victoria Road - Construction due to commence March 2025

- Railway Parade, Marrickville Drainage Upgrade – Stormwater pipeline upgrade, between Catherine Street and White Street - Construction due to commence May 2025

2. Current Designs in Progress

Council successfully obtained grant funding under the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund to undertake a detailed design and mitigation analysis for three high priority stormwater upgrades from the Marrickville Valley Flood Risk Management Study and Plan and the Eastern Channel East Flood Risk Management Plan:

- Illawarra Rd, Marrickville - Increased stormwater inlet capacity along Illawarra Road at York Street and Shephard Street, Marrickville.

- Addison Road, Marrickville – Upgrading of existing pipes and inlet along Addison Road at England Avenue, Agar Street and Wemyss Street, Marrickville.

- Edgeware Road, Newtown – New pipelines along Edgeware Rd from Sarah St to Camden Street and pipe upgrades at Lynch Avenue.

In addition to this, Council is progressing designs for the following projects arising from 2024 flooding:

- Elswick Street, Leichardt – Pipeline extension and increased stormwater inlet capacity between Day Street and Cary Street

- Roseberry Street, Rozelle – Pit and pipe upgrade and the low point of Roseberry Street

- Malakoff Street, Marrickville – inlet upgrades to improve drainage into Sydney Water channel

- Palace Street, Ashfield – Pipeline upgrade between Palace Street and Clissold Street

- Pyrmont Street, Ashfield – Pipeline upgrade from Queen Street to Joseph Street and footpath reconstruction to provide overland flow path.

- Ramsay Street, Haberfield – Inlet capacity upgrade at the intersection of Bland Street and Ramsay Street

3. Marrickville South Flood Study

4. Cooks River Flood Study

Inner West Council has committed to both a financial contribution and active participation, alongside neighbouring Councils, in conducting a comprehensive Flood Study for the entire Cooks River. This study, led by Canterbury City Council, will focus on assessing flood behaviour and risks associated with floods of varying sizes. A joint application from all contributing Councils will be submitted for grant funding in April 2025.

5. Harmonisation of Flood Risk Management Plans

Council has been in discussions with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to undertake a pilot study for detailed analysis of the current mitigation options to assist with comparative prioritisation across the Flood Risk Management Plans based on with current costings, cost-benefit ratios, and a single consistent multi-criteria scoring system. Council engineers will be developing a draft brief for this project to submit for grant funding in April 2025.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Each of the adopted Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans include recommendations for a number of structural management options, such as stormwater drainage upgrades, ranked according to cost and benefit.

As outlined above, the combined Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans include 89 possible flood mitigation options with an initial estimated cost of $300 million. Of these 26 options are considered of higher benefit and priority at a total cost of $105 million.

While a ranking is provided within each report, this does not necessarily present a prescribed schedule for implementation. Rather, the Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans identify mitigation measures that have merit for implementation when funding becomes available, or the opportunity arises from major development. These plans provide a sound basis from which Council can make decisions concerning the undertaking of works, making planning decisions and developing response arrangements to reduce the impact of flooding.

An implementation strategy may not necessarily approach the options from “highest ranking to lowest ranking” but will also consider existing works programs, availability of funding and other opportunities to combine floodplain works with other infrastructure works.

Council currently allocates $1.5 million per year within the Long-Term Financial Plan for stormwater upgrades across the Local Government Area. Implementation of the combined Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans without supplemental income from external sources, would require Council to reallocate funds and resources and possibly reduce its service in other areas, without substantial supplemental income.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

26 February 2025

Item No: FMACC0225(1) Item 3

Subject: Local Incidents of Flooding on 10 Feburary 2025

Prepared By: James Ogg - Stormwater and Asset Planning Coordinator

Authorised By: Ryann Midei - Director Infrastructure

RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:

1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West

2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport

BACKGROUND

At approximately 12pm on Monday 10 February Sydney experienced widespread thunderstorms affecting homes and flooding roads, including areas of Inner West Council.

Rainfall data from nearby rain gauges at Sydney Olympic Park, Canterbury Racecourse and Sydney Observatory indicates that approximately 25mm water fell over the Inner West over the course of 30 minutes. This dispersion of rain is approximately equivalent to a 20% AEP event.

Council has received 133 requests related to stormwater and flooding since this event. 46 of these requests have since been completed, with a further 54 in progress at the time of this report. The remaining requests require further investigation to determine possible civil works in the short and medium term. These requests primarily came from Leichhardt, Marrickville. Annandale and Ashfield.

Leichhardt	23
Marrickville	19
Annandale	14
Ashfield	11
Enmore / Newtown	9
Balmain / Birchgrove / Rozelle	9
Petersham	8
Summer Hill	8
Dulwich Hill	6
Haberfield	6
Camperdown / Forest Lodge	5
Croydon	4
Lewisham	4
Stanmore	4
Sydenham / Tempe	4

Many of these requests related to blocked stormwater pits and inlets resulting from heavy leaf drop due to strong winds in late January, which consequently limited the speed at which water could be drained away from the roadway.

Multiple enquiries were received from the following locations:

- Darley Road, Leichhardt

- Elswick Street, Leichhardt

- Station Street, Petersham

- Queen Street / Pyrmont Street, Ashfield

- Holden Street / Palace Street, Ashfield

- Probert Street, Camperdown

- Camden Street, Enmore

- Newington Road, Marrickville

Council had previously identified many of these areas for upgrade following previous storms, with designs at the following locations currently being finalised for construction within the next 12-18 months.

- Camden Street, Enmore – Construction expected to commence April 2025

- Queen Street / Pyrmont Street, Ashfield – Design to be completed September 2025 for late 2025 construction

- Elswick Street, Leichhardt – Design to be completed September 2025 for 2026 construction

- Holden Street / Palace Street, Ashfield – Design to be completed September 2025 for 2026 construction

Further assessment is to be undertaken for the following locations for inclusion in a future Capital Works Design program.

- Station Street, Petersham

- Probert Street, Camperdown

- Newington Road, Marrickville

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.