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The Parramatta River is central to our City’s identity, and from the earliest days, the changeable nature of the river and our creeks has also meant risk of flooding. Today, our CBD is one of the most flash-flood affected areas in the country and large parts of the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) are prone to flooding.
Although the last big floods were in 1986 and 1988, there has been significant flooding in parts of the LGA in the past few years. Our challenge is to live with our creeks and rivers in all conditions, and to prepare our community for the risk of flooding.
A flood study helps determine where water flows in heavy storms, how deep the water can become, and how dangerous the flows might be. A flood study not only looks at the current flood risk but also future flood risks, including those that may result from climate change.
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A flood study, along with data collection, is the first step in understanding the flood risk in a Local Government Area (LGA). It is the first step in the floodplain risk management process.
A flood study is a technical investigation of flood behaviour and allows Council to identify the risks from different sized floods, from small floods up to the largest possible flood. The study models the likely path of floodwaters and the likely depth.
Modelling of the local catchment system, including overland flooding, is the key to improving Council’s existing flood information.
Overland flooding is flooding caused by water flowing over land caused by local runoff during and after rain, perhaps from drains and stormwater systems, rather than overflowing water from a river, stream or dam.
A flood study provides Council with an understanding of flood risk so it can manage existing development, plan for future development and to help the SES plan how to react to flood emergencies.
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The NSW Government now requires that local councils manage the risk of flooding within their Local Government Area (LGA).
New technologies mean than flood studies now provide highly accurate information around future flooding, and can identify risks and potential impacts.
Council uses flood studies to:
- Identify potential hazards and create appropriate planning controls to help reduce the impact of flooding
- Develop flood reduction infrastructure to mitigate flood impacts to help keep our community safe
- Share information around flooding with State Emergency Services (SES) and residents to help with planning and to help our community prepare for flooding.
- Improve the accuracy of our flood early warning system, FloodSmart.
Floodplain Risk Management
The NSW Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy aims to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on individual owners and occupiers of flood prone land, recognising the benefits from the use, occupation and development of flood prone land. A merit-based approach is promoted that balances social, economic, environmental and flood risk elements to make sure development in the floodplain is appropriate and sustainable.
The NSW Floodplain Development Manual (2023) guides Councils through the process of floodplain risk management. Floodplain risk management study and plans are developed to identify and prioritise ways to reduce risk of damage from flooding. The mapping developed goes through a consultation process with communities, Councillors and stakeholders before becoming formally adopted flood maps used by Council to define flood planning levels and flood risk precincts.
Flood mitigation proposals identified within the floodplain risk management plans fall within three broad categories:
- Flood modification: retarding basins, levees and channel improvements
- Response modification: education, emergency response and recovery planning
- Property modification: planning and development controls, land zoning and building modification
Possible mitigation measures are investigated in detail and suitable solutions may be funded by Council's flood mitigation budget.
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For some time, Council has been working with residents of Wentworth Point and the Carter Street Precinct in an attempt to respond to known flooding issues, particularly along Hill Road.
In May 2024, the City of Parramatta received a $50 million grant (link to media release when it arrives) from the NSW Government to assist in the investigation and potential construction of drainage and other flood reduction infrastructure.
In late 2024, Council will launch the first stage in the NSW Government’s floodplain risk management process by asking residents to contribute photos, video and information about local flood events. This data collection is the first step to creating a flood model, which shows where flooding will occur, and a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, which will suggest strategies to reduce flooding.
Due to the complex and interconnected nature of issues affecting Wentworth Point, the Haslams Creek Flood Study will feed into the existing Hill Road Masterplan. Council has received $8.5 million in funding from the Australian Government to assist in scoping and implementing improvements for Hill Road including addressing safety concerns at intersections and improving street lighting.
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2022 Stage 1 information gathering
In August and September 2022, the City of Parramatta Council began the first phase of its flood study work engaging with residents in Granville, Harris Park and Rosehill around local flooding linked to A’Becketts Creek. Residents shared photographs and videos and completed a survey providing detailed information on historical flooding in their neighbourhood.
Technical consultants are now using this information and other materials to build a draft flood model.
2024 Stage 2 Draft Flood Study
It is anticipated that the Draft A’Becketts Creek Flood Study will be on public exhibition in early 2025.
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Following community consultation which gathered information on local flooding and asked residents about their experience of flooding, in late 2023 City of Parramatta staged a six-week public exhibition of the Draft Parramatta River Flood Study – a study which covered a large portion of the Local Government Area.
Closing on 30 October 2023, the study attracted more than 20,000 page views and a number of submissions.
Following further analysis and some modifications, Council endorsed the Parramatta River Flood Study in June 2024. For more information, including copies of the final flood study and report, see our 2024 Parramatta River Flood Study Page.
City of Parramatta is continually working on flood data collection and undertaking flood management work.
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The first stage of work (information gathering) is expected to begin on the Devlins Creek Catchment in the next few years.
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Darling Mills, Rifle Range, Hunts and Blue Gum Creek Catchments, flood studies and risk management study and plans to start in future years (2026+).
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Duck River Catchment, flood studies and risk management study and plan to start in future years.
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Following the completion of the Parramatta River Flood Study (endorsed by Council on 11 June 2024) work will commence on the Draft Parramatta River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.
The Draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan will investigate and identify appropriate flood mitigation actions that can be delivered to reduce or resolve flooding in areas with a high flood risk.
When completed, the Draft Parramatta River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan will be presented to the community for feedback and will then proceed to Council for endorsement and finally lodged with the NSW Government.
For more information visit our Parramatta River Flood Study page.
