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Managing Flood Risk in the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek Catchment

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Consultation has concluded

Flow exiting the pipe crossed Dobinson Street, Balgownie in the aftermath of the August flood 1998

We’ve completed several studies to assess the flood risk within the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek Catchment. The risks are to people, property, infrastructure (e.g. roads and stormwater pipes) and assets (e.g. public parks and recreation areas). We’re now working on a Floodplain Risk Management Plan to look at ways to manage flood risk.

Measures used for managing flood risk
These measures might include groundworks in the catchment (e.g. drainage improvements and levees) to protect existing development and assets. We also consider using development controls and planning measures to reduce the risk of flooding to future development in the catchment. In addition, evacuation and emergency response planning will also be part of our approach to managing flood risk.

We’re asking the community to be involved in this flood risk management planning. We’d like to know where you think we should be focusing our efforts to protect existing homes, businesses, roads and other assets from flooding. We’d like you to be part of planning for flood-safe development into the future. We’ll work alongside the community and the State Emergency Service (NSW SES) so we can all respond to flooding in a coordinated, efficient and practical way.

Previous Community Input

The community has provided valuable input to previous flood investigations within the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek catchment. In 2010, they shared feedback with us as part of the previous Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study. They provided accounts of their observations of previous flooding and shared feedback on the flood mapping through an online survey and community drop-in session. This input helped us to assess the suitability of a range of flood management measures for the catchment. The most recent inputs provided in 2019 as part of the reviews saw community provided accounts of their observations of flooding and feedback on the flood mapping through online surveys and at community drop-in sessions. The flood models were updated as a result. The Fairy & Cabbage Tree Creeks Flood Study (2020) was updated and finalised following their public exhibitions and was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 June 2020.

Flood risk management measures for the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek catchment
Using the previous flood investigations and input from the community, we’ve assessed a range of flood management measures for their suitability in reducing flood risk in the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek catchment. These include engineering works, vegetation management, development controls, planning measures and emergency response arrangements. These are some examples of each of these measures:

Engineering structures

Debris control structuresImproving drainage

Property modifications (existing development)

Voluntary house purchase

House raising

Development controls (future development)

Minimum floor levels


Emergency response and community awareness

Flood warning signsFlood plan

Learn more and help with our planning
To find out more about the process for managing flood risk and how you can be involved in our planning:

Drop-in information session
At this session, we’ll have maps showing the location of the recommended measures for managing flood risk. The flood engineers who are working on the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for this catchment will be there to answer your questions, explain what is being planned and how the proposed measures will help manage flood risks.

Date: Tuesday 19 September 2023
Time: Anytime between 3:30-6:30pm - there's no presentation at this session, so you can drop in throughout the timeslot.
Where: Fairy Meadow Community Centre - Guest Park, Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow.

Accessibility, mobility or language assistance
If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service. If you would like to attend the information sessions and have accessibility or mobility requirements, please let us know how we can support your attendance. We can also arrange for an interpreter to come along to help residents who have difficulty communicating in English. To arrange support, please contact engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Join the conversation
Share your feedback with the project team by 16 October 2023. Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

We’ve completed several studies to assess the flood risk within the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek Catchment. The risks are to people, property, infrastructure (e.g. roads and stormwater pipes) and assets (e.g. public parks and recreation areas). We’re now working on a Floodplain Risk Management Plan to look at ways to manage flood risk.

Measures used for managing flood risk
These measures might include groundworks in the catchment (e.g. drainage improvements and levees) to protect existing development and assets. We also consider using development controls and planning measures to reduce the risk of flooding to future development in the catchment. In addition, evacuation and emergency response planning will also be part of our approach to managing flood risk.

We’re asking the community to be involved in this flood risk management planning. We’d like to know where you think we should be focusing our efforts to protect existing homes, businesses, roads and other assets from flooding. We’d like you to be part of planning for flood-safe development into the future. We’ll work alongside the community and the State Emergency Service (NSW SES) so we can all respond to flooding in a coordinated, efficient and practical way.

Previous Community Input

The community has provided valuable input to previous flood investigations within the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek catchment. In 2010, they shared feedback with us as part of the previous Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study. They provided accounts of their observations of previous flooding and shared feedback on the flood mapping through an online survey and community drop-in session. This input helped us to assess the suitability of a range of flood management measures for the catchment. The most recent inputs provided in 2019 as part of the reviews saw community provided accounts of their observations of flooding and feedback on the flood mapping through online surveys and at community drop-in sessions. The flood models were updated as a result. The Fairy & Cabbage Tree Creeks Flood Study (2020) was updated and finalised following their public exhibitions and was adopted by Council at its meeting on 29 June 2020.

Flood risk management measures for the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek catchment
Using the previous flood investigations and input from the community, we’ve assessed a range of flood management measures for their suitability in reducing flood risk in the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creek catchment. These include engineering works, vegetation management, development controls, planning measures and emergency response arrangements. These are some examples of each of these measures:

Engineering structures

Debris control structuresImproving drainage

Property modifications (existing development)

Voluntary house purchase

House raising

Development controls (future development)

Minimum floor levels


Emergency response and community awareness

Flood warning signsFlood plan

Learn more and help with our planning
To find out more about the process for managing flood risk and how you can be involved in our planning:

Drop-in information session
At this session, we’ll have maps showing the location of the recommended measures for managing flood risk. The flood engineers who are working on the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for this catchment will be there to answer your questions, explain what is being planned and how the proposed measures will help manage flood risks.

Date: Tuesday 19 September 2023
Time: Anytime between 3:30-6:30pm - there's no presentation at this session, so you can drop in throughout the timeslot.
Where: Fairy Meadow Community Centre - Guest Park, Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow.

Accessibility, mobility or language assistance
If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service. If you would like to attend the information sessions and have accessibility or mobility requirements, please let us know how we can support your attendance. We can also arrange for an interpreter to come along to help residents who have difficulty communicating in English. To arrange support, please contact engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Join the conversation
Share your feedback with the project team by 16 October 2023. Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

Consultation has concluded

  • Engagement Summary

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    Thank you to everyone who participated in the Fairy and Cabbage Tree Creeks Floodplain Management Study and Plan. We heard from over 200 people during the engagement. The community shared valuable information and insight into their experience in the catchment, which will be used to inform the future Floodplain Management Study and Plan. You can find the full Engagement Report here.