Agenda of Flood Management Advisory Committee

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

4 March 2026

Minutes of the Flood Risk Management Advisory Committee Meeting 26 November 2025

Date / Time	26 November 2025 - 2:00 PM
Venue	Microsoft Teams
Chairperson	Councillor Mat Howard
Voting Attendees	Clr Mat Howard	Michael Carney (SES)	Pilar Lorenzo
	David Chick	Matthew Murphy	Tim Harnett
	Emily McGrath	Bowen Hicks
Non – Voting Technical Advisory Attendees	Peter Shields (IWC)	David Paton (IWC)	Rafaah Georges (IWC)
Non – Voting Technical Advisory Attendees	James Ogg (IWC)
Observers	Tiffanie Ong (IWC)	Jason L’Ecuyer (Cooks River Alliance)	Robert Baker
Observers	Andrew Jones	David Grasby (Sydney Water)
Apologies	Clr Andrew Blake	Andrew Thomas (Cooks River Alliance)	Simon Myall
Apologies	Jaan Ranniko

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 August 27,2025 Flood Management Advisory Committee

Confirmed by Pilar seconded by Tim Harnett

5. Staff Reports

5. 1 - FMACC0225 (1) Item 1 Outstanding Actions Register

Meeting	Item	Actions	Comments	Status
FMAC 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	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. Local warnings are shared through social media	Closed No further action.
FMAC 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.	Planned road closures are currently reported to state agencies and digital mapping services via the NSW Government OneRoad portal.	Closed No further action.
Ordinary Council 12/11/24 C1124(1)	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.	Report presented at the 26 November 2025 FMAC meeting.	Closed No further action.
Ordinary Council 20/05/25 C0525(1)	19.3	That Council identify grant funding options available, and preparatory work that would be needed to apply for such grants, to fund these upgrades.	Report provided to the September meeting of Council	Closed No further action.
Ordinary Council 20/05/25 C0525(1)	19.4	That Council report the outcomes of these engagements to Council in August 2025.	Report provided to the September meeting of Council	Closed No further action.
FMAC 27/08/25	7	That the committee be presented with a report at the next meeting about flooding concerns in Hill Street, Marrickville.	Report presented at the 26 November 2025 FMAC meeting.	Closed No further action.
FMAC 27/08/25	7	That the committee be presented with a report at the next meeting about flooding concerns in Osgood Avenue, Marrickville.	Report presented at the 26 November 2025 FMAC meeting.	Closed No further action.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report

DISCUSSION

The Hill Street, Marrickville report indicated significant silt deposited in the pipes draining the area, which has now been cleaned out over a period of a week. The report also notes tidal impacts that affect the area as well, and dependant on when storms hit there is still a possibility of this issue occurring at the location.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report

Michael Carney moves the item, seconded by Tim Harnett.

For Motion: Unanimous

FMACC0825(1) Item 2; Public Forum to the Flood Management Advisory Committee

SUMMARY

The Flood Management Advisory Committee Terms of Reference has been amended to include a clause providing for and governing the procedure of a Public Forum prior to the consideration of reports being presented to the Committee.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

DISCUSSION

Clause 7.4 Public Participation clause has been added to the Flood Management Advisory Terms of Reference following the August meeting. The structure of the clause and terms within it have been built from the local traffic forum clauses and code of meeting practise.

Clr Howard raised query if the terms of reference that have been drafted preclude people from speaking on any matters other than a flood study or flood mitigation matter. James advised it is for focus on flood study and implementation of flood risk management plan and aims to keep focus on matters on the agenda. Matthew Murphy suggests for change of wording to the effect of ‘to matters relating to the business of the committee as would be determined by the chair’ or to speak specifically to agenda items. Clr Howard notes the terms of reference can be amended after a period if needed to open it up more. Matthew Murphy raised concerns that committee members seeking to raise matters relating to the agenda would require the agenda to be released earlier than was released for the current meeting. Clr Howard confirmed standard practise is for agenda and report to be released seven days beforehand and published online for public viewing.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report, subject to further amendments noting that a member of the public can request to speak to any agenda item.

Clr Howard moves the item, seconded by Matthew Murphy.

For Motion: Unanimous

FMACC0525(1) Item 3 ; South Marrickville Flood Study

SUMMARY

Inner West Council has completed overland flow flood studies for 8 of its 9 primary catchments. Marrickville South, covering the areas of Dulwich Hill and Marrickville draining to the Cooks River, is the only area within the Inner West LGA that does not yet have a contemporary Flood Study or Flood Risk Management Plan. Council has secured two-thirds grant funding from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to support the delivery of a contemporary Overland Flow Flood Study for this area. Following a request for quotation, Council has engaged specialist flood consultants, Stantec, to undertake the project. The proposed timeline outlines key milestones for each stage of the Flood Study, including significant hold points where the Flood Advisory Committee will be invited to review and endorse draft proposals. These milestones will inform the scheduling of key Flood Management Advisory Committee meetings in 2026.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

Tim Harnett moves the item, seconded by Emily McGrath.

For Motion: Unanimous

FMACC0825(1) Item 4 ; Review of Flooding on Illawarra Road

SUMMARY

This report outlines the results of Council's investigations of reported flooding on Illawarra Road in the vicinity of Hill Street and Thornley Street Marrickville, following a request from the SES Area Commander at the August meeting of the Flood Management Advisory Committee.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

DISCUSSION

As part of Councils investigations, a contractor was engaged to undertake CCTV and cleaning around this vicinity. Substantial silting had blocked many of the pipelines, which have now been cleared.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Michael Carney moves item, seconded by Matthew Murphy.

For Motion: Unanimous

FMACC0825(1) Item 5 ; Review of Flooding on Osgood Ave

SUMMARY

This report outlines the results of Council's investigations of reported flooding in Osgood Avenue near Ewart Street, following a request from the Committee Chair at the August meeting of the Flood Management Advisory Committee.

OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

DISCUSSION

Councillor Howard raised resident concerns of stormwater collecting and sitting in the gutters. James notes that there is no existing pipe drainage within the street, however the kerb and gutter is designed to convey stormwater to the point where the piped drainage at the intersection can receive it. The South Marrickville Flood Study is being undertaken in 2026, which will provide greater clarity and certainty on the likely volume of stormwater flows in the street, however at this time there is nothing to support more work than the extension in Ewart Street.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report.

Clr Howard moves item, seconded by Pilar Lorenzo

For Motion: Unanimous

7. General Business

Pilar Lorenzo raised concerns regarding drainage caused by leaf litter blockage in Osgood Street and Arthur Street. James advised of the monthly street sweeping cycle that is carried out however scheduled of cleaning is not guaranteed prior to an anticipated storm. A hot spot list of low points has also been developed which is monitored by Council’s outdoor crew. Council has a cyclic and responsive maintenance to be as proactive to the circumstances.

Meeting Closed 2:49pm

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

4 March 2026

Item No: FMACC0326(1) Item 1

Subject: Flood Management Advisory Committee Terms of Reference amendment

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

Authorised By: Peter Shields - Director Engineering

RECOMMENDATION

That Flood Management Advisory Committee endorse the amended Terms of Reference.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

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

2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport

5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In November 2025 the Flood Management Advisory Committee resolved to have the Committee terms of reference further amended to enable members of the public to address the Committee on any agenda item.

The terms of reference have been further amended to incorporate arrangements that detail how members of the public may speak to an agenda item at the start of any Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting.

This report recommends that the Flood Management Advisory Committee endorse changes to the Committee Terms of Reference.

BACKGROUND

At the Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting held on 26 November 2025, the Committee resolved the following:

That Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report, subject to further amendments noting that a member of the public can request to speak to any agenda item.

This report provides a summary of considerations and actions taken responding to the above resolution.

DISCUSSION

The revised version of the Flood Management Advisory Committee Terms of Reference presented to the meeting on 26 November 2025 included a new section Section 7.4 Public Participation. This was inserted into the Terms of Reference to facilitate members of the public to present to the Committee on flood related matters.

Following the resolution of the Committee on 26 November 2025, a revised version of the Terms of Reference is attached as Appendix A, including amendments to Section 7.4 to simplify the wording, by reducing limitations and allowing members of the public to speak on any agenda item.

The amended wording for Section 7.4 is as follows.

A time will be made available at the start of each meeting for the purpose of hearing oral submissions from members of the public on any agenda item to be considered at the meeting.

To speak to an item at the Committee Meeting, a person must first make a request in writing to the Committee Facilitator by 5pm on the day prior to the meeting identifying the item of business that they wish to speak on, and whether they wish to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ the item.

The Committee Facilitator in conjunction with the Chair will determine the number and order of those to speak to the Committee in accordance with the principles of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice. Each speaker will be allowed 3 minutes to address the Committee and must keep their comments succinct and relevant to matter being considered and not include any inappropriate material, including defamatory content.

The Committee is advisory in nature and does not have or exercise any formal powers of Council, and any resulting actions ultimately require the approval of Council. The Chair must make it clear to the public forum that the Council is still required to accept the recommendation of the Flood Management Advisory Committee.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩

FMAC -Terms of Reference

Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting

4 March 2026

Item No: FMACC0326(1) Item 2

Subject: South Marrickville Flood Study - Status Update

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

Authorised By: Peter Shields - Director Engineering

RECOMMENDATION

That the Flood Management Advisory Committee receive and note the report for the South Marrickville Flood Study, which details progress to date and current community consultation activities.

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The South Marrickville Flood Study is the final catchment within the Local Government Area requiring a flood study. It covers areas within southern Dulwich Hill and south-west Marrickville, generally bound by New Canterbury Road and Garnet Avenue, draining to the Cooks River.

Work to prepare the flood study commenced in December 2025 and it is being delivered over 18 months. The project is currently on track, with data review substantially progressed and the data collection phase now underway.

Council commenced the first planned community consultation period on 9 February, with a closing date of 15 March 2026. Consultation and engagement activities include letters to residents, information updates, a survey and public meetings.

This report provides a status update on progress to date for the South Marrickville Flood Study and confirms further details relating to forthcoming activities.

BACKGROUND

Under the NSW Floodplain Management Policy, local councils are primarily responsible for managing flood-prone land. This includes undertaking studies to understand flood risk, assessing management options, keeping the community informed about flooding, supporting emergency management planning, and considering flood impacts on flood-prone land through appropriate development controls.

There are nine stormwater catchments in the Inner West local government area with dedicated flood studies. The South Marrickville Flood Study is the final catchment without a completed flood study. This catchment includes areas within southern Dulwich Hill and south-west Marrickville, generally bound by New Canterbury Road and Garnet Avenue, draining to the Cooks River. The objective of the flood study is to improve Council’s understanding of flood behavior across the catchment.

The flood study will take approximately 18 months to prepare. Once the flood study is adopted, Council will then look to commission the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan for the same catchment.

The report provides a status update on progress to date for the preparation of the Flood Study.

DISCUSSION

Types of Flooding in the Catchment

Flooding within the South Marrickville Catchment typically occurs from the following sources:

• Overland flow paths

• Overtopping of the Cooks River

Overland flooding occurs when local rainfall generates runoff at a rate that exceeds the capacity of the drainage system, causing water to flow along roads, open spaces, and low-lying areas. Overtopping of the Cooks River, also referred to as riverine flooding, occurs when river water levels rise during large-scale catchment rainfall events and/or high tide conditions. Floodwater typically extends from the river corridor onto adjacent low-lying land.

This study is important because previous investigations have largely focused on the river corridor. Accordingly, this Flood Study provides a catchment-wide assessment of overland flow paths and their interaction with the Cooks River tailwater.

Project Planning

Council has engaged Stantec as its specialist consultant to assist with the preparation of the Flood Study. The project will be delivered across eight stages, with designated hold points for community consultation during Stages 2 - Data Collection, Stage 4 – Design Runs and Maps and Stage 6 - Public exhibition of the draft flood study.

The diagram below outlines the eight stages of this project:

Figure 1. South Marrickville Flood Study Program

The project is currently on track, with stage 1 largely completed and stage 2 having now commenced.

The following list provides further detail on activities completed in each stage of the flood study:

· Stage 1 – Data Review - Project setup, planning, and coordination with Council including data collection and review of previous studies.

· Stage 2 – Data Collection - Collection of relevant data and commencement of first community consultation.

· Stage 3 – Base Model Build - Establish the initial model that will be the base for the flood study.

· Stage 4 – Design Runs and Maps - Validation and calibration of model. Design event runs and draft maps for the various critical flood events. Second community consultation to be undertaken at this stage.

· Stage 5 – Draft Report - Preparation of draft report to be submitted to Council for review

· Stage 6 – Public Exhibition - Third community consultation and exhibition of draft report open for feedback.

· Stage 7 – Final Report - Finalising report, addressing feedback from the community consultation.

· Stage 8 – Handover - Report and flood model to be handed to Council for adoption.

CONSULTATION

Local knowledge is essential in addressing flood issues, as it helps build an understanding of where flooding occurs and how it affects the community. The information and data gathered in

the findings from Stage 2 of this project, including the information and feedback gathered during the community consultation period, will inform the development of the flood study including the following:

· Support emergency services in planning for and responding to flood events

· Assist Council in establishing appropriate planning and development controls

· Improve the resilience of infrastructure to future flooding

· Guide flood risk management in accordance with NSW Government requirements

The community engagement planned within Stage 2 commenced on 9 February 2026 and is expected to close on 15 March 2026. Consultation and engagement activities include:

· letter notifications to affected residents, property owners and businesses

· general project information

· a survey hosted on Council’s Have Your Say webpage

· two in-person consultation sessions attended by Council and Stantec representatives

· the opportunity to provide feedback via Council’s flooding email address.

There will be two additional community consultations undertaken throughout this project in Stages 4 and 6, including the exhibition of the design runs and maps outlining the flood affected areas in Stage 4 and the final draft flood study in Stage 6.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The total external cost of the South Marrickville Flood Study is $163,196, inclusive of GST. Council's adopted Delivery Plan has provided $55,000 from internal reserves to accommodate Council's one-third contribution to the project cost. The remainder of the study is funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) through the Floodplain Risk Management Program.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.