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Managing Flood Risk in the Allans Creek Catchment

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Consultation has concluded

We’ve completed several studies to assess the flood risk within the Allans 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 Allans Creek catchment. In 2006, they shared feedback with us as part of the previous Allans 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.

Flood risk management measures for the Allans 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 Allans 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: Wednesday13 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: Figtree Community Hall (West), 11 Princes Highway, Figtree

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 9 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 Allans 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 Allans Creek catchment. In 2006, they shared feedback with us as part of the previous Allans 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.

Flood risk management measures for the Allans 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 Allans 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: Wednesday13 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: Figtree Community Hall (West), 11 Princes Highway, Figtree

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 9 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

  • What we heard from our community

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    We invited feedback on the draft FRMSP and received 211 submissions, including 95 hardcopy surveys, 19 online submissions, five emails, and meetings with 15 Aboriginal Traditional Custodians and knowledge holders. Some provided photos with their submissions. We had conversations with 77 attendees at the community information session. The project webpage had 298 unique views and three questions were submitted to the online Q&A.

    What we heard

    Survey

    Respondents were asked to indicate their level of support for the following options for managing flood risk in the Allans Creek Catchment. Debris control structures were supported by most. While some expressed support for options that were not recommended in the report, there were similar numbers of respondents who objected to them or indicated a response was not applicable. Most were supportive of all the other options for managing flood risk.

    Residents highlighted key concerns in their feedback, emphasising the need for proactive measures in creek maintenance. Debris control, erosion prevention, and dredging to deepen creeks were proposed, with accountability urged for the developer of an estate in Figtree regarding American Creek. Vegetation management suggestions included removing invasive plants and planting water-loving trees. Infrastructure improvement requests covered drainage upgrades, culvert maintenance, and solutions like raised levy banks. Criticism arose over stormwater infrastructure, and residents called for transparent communication, extended community input time, and SMS notifications for flood warnings. Climate change considerations, consistent development controls, flood mapping access, and careful planning were also stressed, along with concerns about insurance premiums, emergency response collaboration, and pet evacuation during floods. Several provided photos or videos with their submissions, to share their observations and experiences of flooding.

    Meetings with Aboriginal stakeholders

    The Aboriginal Traditional Custodians and knowledge holders we spoke to indicated a preference for debris control structures if placed over existing culverts and concreted areas. There were concerns about impacting natural creek areas and questions about the installation process and appropriate structure heights. A request was made for Council to explore natural systems like reeds and vegetation as a strategy to mitigate water flow speed. Elders were concerned about hard infrastructure impacting biodiversity, with consideration for environmental impacts urged. The proposed widening of Byarong Creek caused alarm due to its connection to sacred sites and potential consequences for water flow and flooding. A site review and on-site monitoring were requested should this option be pursued.

    Open submissions

    We received five open, written submissions from local resident/s and property owners, an operator of an electrical distribution network and a government organisation that manages emergency response and preparedness. Lengthy and/or technical submissions were provided in full to the team working on the FRMSP.

    Residents in areas like Figtree and Unanderra have voiced concerns over persistent flooding issues, perceiving the need for proactive measures, accurate flood modeling, and clear communication from Council. Specific issues include creek maintenance, debris build-up, and vegetation causing flooding, impacting properties and insurance costs. Some criticised Council's responsiveness, calling for practical solutions like stabilising creek banks and installing drainage structures. Concerns about specific locations like Figtree Gardens Caravan Park and Unanderra Pool were highlighted. Residents proposed solutions, including infrastructure improvements, zoning accuracy, and private landowner education.

    The State government organisation prioritises evacuation as the primary response to flooding. They noted the likelihood of flash flooding within 180 minutes and proposing a potential flash flood warning system pilot study. They requested updated flood plan documents in electronic form.

    The representative of the electrical distribution network operator provided advice regarding their flood response plan and impacts of floods on the network.

    Information session

    Seventy-seven people attended the information session at Figtree Community Hall.

    The discussions focused on:

    • Creek maintenance and erosion concerns.
    • Development Application (DA) issues.
    • Flood insurance premiums.
    • Complaints regarding Council responsiveness to reported issues.
    • Specific location issues, e.g. flooding on Arrow Ave, flood and safety risks to residents of Figtree Caravan Park, and the M1 culverts.
    • Concerns including blocked drains and inadequate infrastructure.
    • Detailed concerns about specific properties.
    • Community education.
    • Infrastructure and environmental considerations.
    • Widening of Byarong Creek.

    Next steps

    We will use this feedback to further refine the draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. These are preliminary discussions about the recommended options. They will each require further investigation, consultation and approvals before going ahead. We will continue sharing information with the community and key stakeholders and seek input as we progress.

    Read the full Engagement Report