Mudgee Flood Study 2021 Processed Hydraulic Model Results

Volume 1 and Volume 2 (Main Reports and Appendices)

This is the news letter that was distributed to the community. A questionnaire was also completed. The results from that questionnaire is part of this data set

WMAwater has been engaged by Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC) to undertake an investigation on flood behaviour in Mudgee and provide an improved understanding of flood behaviour and impacts in the area, in order to better inform the management of flood risk for the community. Mudgee is located in the Macquarie River Basin on the banks of the Cudgegong River. The Cudgegong River has a wide floodplain at Mudgee with the majority of the town built on higher ground on the southern bank of the river. The town is subject to flooding from the following sources: • riverine flooding from Cudgegong River and Lawsons Creek, with their confluence on the north western edge of town; • flash flooding from multiple smaller creeks that originate on the south western edge of Mudgee and traverse the town until their confluence with the Cudgegong River, and • local urban stormwater flooding. Major flood events over the last 70 years have occurred in 1955, 1969, 1971, 1974 and 1990. The town also experienced major flooding in February 2003 and December 2010. Recent flood events of lesser magnitude have occurred in 2016 and 2017.

Complete Report

This report comprises Volume 2 of the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMP), which is being prepared on behalf of Mid-Western Council in the area drained by the Mudgee Local Creeks, as part of a Government program to mitigate the impacts of major floods and reduce the hazards in the floodplains. Volume 2 details the results of flood behaviour studies of each of the creeks. Undertaking of the flood studies on the creeks was an important first step in the process of preparing the FRMP. The flood study is the formal starting process of defining management measures for flood liable land and represents a detailed technical investigation of flood behaviour. This Volume describes the method and results of the investigation to define flooding conditions on the catchments under both present day conditions and after development according to Council’s current zoning policy. The study then reviews the impacts of flooding on existing urban development and improvements to the drainage system which could be implemented to mitigate flood impacts.

This Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for the Mudgee Local Creeks has been prepared as part of a Government program to mitigate the impacts of major floods and reduce the hazards in the floodplain. Figure 1.1 shows the study area which comprises the urban part of town on the southern bank of the Cudgegong River. This area is drained by seven creeks in addition to Redbank Creek, which was included in the Mudgee Floodplain Management Study and Plan (Bewsher Consulting, 2002). That study dealt with mainstream flooding from the Cudgegong River which also influences flooding near the junctions with the creeks. The seven creeks investigated in the present study comprise Catchments A to F and Sawpit Gully. The Brief for the study issued by Council generally follows the scope of work required for a Floodplain Risk Management Study as identified in the Floodplain Development Manual (FDM, 2005). The NSW Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy and the FDM, 2005 form the basis of floodplain management in the State. Figure 1.2 shows the steps involved in the floodplain management planning process. This report is Volume 1 of the overall investigation and sets out the findings of the Floodplain Risk Management Study and contains the draft Plan. The results of the updated flood investigations of the various creeks are presented in Volume 2. Section 2 of the Study contains information on baseline flooding conditions on the floodplains, including a review of existing planning policies, assessment of the impacts of flooding on the community, flood warning and preparedness and environmental considerations. Section 3 is a review of possible Floodplain Management Measures which could be included in the Plan. Section 4 details the selection of Floodplain Management Measures. Floodplain Management strategies were assessed using a multi-objective approach based on technical, financial, environmental and social considerations and a preferred strategy outlined. Section 5 presents the elements of the draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan. Section 6 contains a list of definitions of flood related terms used in the study Section 7 contains a list of references.

Complete report

Complete report

Complete report