Yamba News
Report picks holes in flood plan

Report picks holes in flood plan
By Tim Howard
A controversial flood plain development in West Yamba should be shelved after an independent report found significant shortcoming in its Flood Emergency Management Plan says a residents group.
The acting president of the Yamba Community Action Network, Alex Devantier said the report from engineering and planning consultants Rhelm into the Flood Emergency Management Plan for the 136-lot multi-dwelling development at 8 Park Lane, West Yamba, was “scathing”.
“All in all the findings are that the current proposal is unsatisfactory from a flooding and emergency management perspective,” he said.
State Government planning instrument, The Northern Regional Planning will hold its third public meeting into the development on October 26.
At its last meeting in July the NRPP deferred making a determination and sought an independent assessment of flood risk and emergency evacuation procedures.
At the time panel chair Paul Mitchell noted the development had been substantially approved and it questions around emergency management that failed to deal with residents’ concerns that was halting approval.
Developers Hometown Australia Pty Ltd submitted a FEMP, from Bewsher Consulting, in June, prior to the second NRPP meeting, but the panel adjourned to allow a more detailed investigation into the plan.
Rhelm provided a 22-page analysis of the Bewsher Consulting document, which revealed shortcomings in the emergency plan.
It noted failure to acknowledge climate change effects meant the development was not sufficiently filled to be above a 1 in 100 year flood.
It said the development would require extra filling to reach 3.7mAHD or require houses to have piers that lifted the floor level above 3.7mAHD.
“A flood impact assessment is required of the effects of the proposed fill and retaining walls on the conveyance of stormwater flows within the existing perimeter stormwater drains or any potential effects on existing adjacent properties,” the report also noted.
The Rhelm report was also critical of the proposal in the FEMP to provide flood shelter in a clubhouse building within the development, pointing out the proposal was “divergent from state guidance and practice.”
“Residents sheltering in place are unlikely to have sufficient space or amenities and therefore likely to impose an additional pressure on the NSW SES with respect to the need for resupply and also with respect to potential medical evacuation requirements.
“Additionally, the proposed floor level of the shelter area would need to be further elevated to 4.5 mAHD to allow for projected climate change, otherwise there is potential for the refuge itself to be inundated.
“Based on these findings, the current proposal is unsatisfactory from a flooding and emergency management perspective.”
Mr Devantier was also critical of the Clarence Valley Council which he said was too quick to approve the DA despite legitimate concerns of resident around flood mitigation and drainage issues.
“Council appears to be just accepting what a developer provides in the DA without considering existing residents,” he said,
“Upon inquiry council informed it has not been provided the details of the new stormwater drain along the southern boundary on the inside of the 1.6m high retaining wall.
“Council also has not been provided details of the pumps to be located in the drain in the backyards of properties along Yamba Road.
“How can Council staff accurately assess the stormwater has been mitigated?”
Mr Devantier said despite these issues Councils assessment report dated July 11, 2022, stated “Council staff are satisfied that the development will improve the existing stormwater drainage issues having a beneficial result to adjoining landowners.”
He said residents had shown in a number of presentations the serious stormwater inundation that affected the area during the flooding in February and March this year.
These presentations revealed fish swimming in floodwater in the yards of residents neighbouring the development, revealing both storm water run off and river breaches contributed to the flooding.
“When will council start considering the detrimental impacts of stormwater inundation on existing residents in town,” he said.
“Roads were closed, first by stormwater and then days later when the flood crest reached Yamba.
“People living to the west of Yamba main town could not get to the SES designated flood evacuation centre. Existing residents, who pay rates, are being forgotten.”
He said Yamba CAN as the group which formed in September has become known has booked a room at the Yamba Golf Club on October 26 for residents to make their submissions to the NRPP.
The meeting will be held via video conference.
People with Inquiries or wishing to address the panel or listen to this meeting, must register by contacting the Planning Panels Secretariat before 4pm Monday, October 24 on 02 8217 2060 or via email to enquiry@planningpanels.nsw.gov.au. The meeting begins at 3pm.
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