| FLYER ISSUE 2: FEBRUARY 2022
| READ IN
BROWSER https://archive.aweber.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MTMzOTEwNjA=/fma-flyer-2-february.htm
|
NEXT FMA MEETING: MAY QM + AGM THURSDAY 19 MAY 2022 AT TOOWOOMBA
CONFERENCE
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
|
I am working in Gympie Queensland this month, and like so many people on the east coast having to deal
with this extraordinary weather event.
The rain has stopped at Gympie, the flood peak has passed, the level of the Mary River has dropped to below major, and bridges are opening. But the flooding is now heading downstream where levels are still above
major.
I must congratulate the Bureau of Meteorology on their excellent advice, issued at the beginning of this event.
On Wednesday 23 February the Bureau warned that the Mary River at Gympie may reach the flood level of February 1999, 21.95 m. No one knew at that stage how much more rain was to
come.
At 8.30am on Saturday the gauge reading at Kidd Bridge was 20.95 m and rising, with heavy rain continuing. The river peaked on Sunday at 22.96 m. This is the highest since Gympie’s largest recorded flood of 2 February 1893 when
the river peaked at 25.45 m.
Over 100 floods have been recorded at Gympie since 1870, so flooding is not unusual, but this was much higher than many locals thought possible.
At its peak water in Mary Street was above shop awnings, all bridges were closed, the Pacific Highway is still closed north and south of Gympie, and Council staff are working around the clock to cope with flooded roads and
damage.
Borumba Dam and Cedar Pocket Dam are both spilling and are well above full supply level.
Across Queensland and New South Wales emergency services personnel have been doing an amazing job trying to keep people safe and both State Governments have been very
supportive.
But tragically, there have been numerous fatalities, many were people driving through flood waters.
With heavy rainfall moving south in NSW, and an East Coast Low threatening to form, this is going to be a huge series of floods.
There is much to be learned from this week, and events like this remind us how important the work of flood risk management really is.
ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
|
|
|
FMA EXCELLENCE AWARDS NOW OPEN
|
|
|
The FMA Excellence Awards have officially opened! We know that over the past 12 months (and especially the past few days) our Members have been undertaking incredible work for their communities in the flood risk management space. The Excellence Awards were designed to showcase these efforts and
provide inspiration for other professionals in the industry.
So if you are an FMA Member organisation or Professional/Individual or Student Member who has been working towards promoting wise land use planning, reducing flood impacts, managing flood incidents or restoring communities after a flood event, we want to see your entries!
The winners of the 2022 Excellence Awards will be announced at the Gala Excellence Awards Dinner at the FMA National Conference in Toowoomba in May.
The Excellence Awards are split into three categories:
FMA Flood Risk Management Project of the Year - Nominations will be open to any current Full, Associate, Corporate, Professional, Individual or Student FMA Member.
What is the Prize?
Winner - $10,000 cash prize to be used for a purpose related to flood risk management or flood risk education plus Crystal Trophy plus Luxury Hamper
Highly Commended – An FMA National Conference and Workshop Registration for 2023 plus Crystal Trophy plus Luxury Hamper.
FMA-Allan Ezzy Flood Risk Manager of the Year - Nominations will be open to any current FMA Member, or individual who is an employee or representative of an FMA Member.
What is the Prize?
Winner – A Full Three Day Registration to the 2023 FMA Conference and Pre-Conference Workshops to be held at Sydney, NSW, plus Crystal Trophy plus Luxury Hamper.
FMA YFM Young Floodplain Manager of the Year - Nominations will be open to any current FMA Member, or individual who is an employee or representative of an FMA Member, who is a current Member of the Young Floodplain Managers
network.
What is the Prize?
Winner - A Full Three Day Registration to the 2023 FMA Conference and Pre-Conference Workshops to be held at Sydney, NSW plus Crystal Trophy plus Luxury Hamper. The Prize is valued at up to $1250 (based on Full Member pricing).
Nominations are open now until 25 March 2022. You can download the information and nomination forms at floods.org.au/ea.
For more information on the Conference itself, visit floodplainconference.com.
|
FEBRUARY FMA MEETING WRAP UP
|
|
|
February 17 saw another strongly supported FMA Quarterly Meeting and Workshop in our now familiar online format. Described by some as a “mini conference”, as well as reports from FMA’s Executive Committee we packed in
updates from seven state and territory agencies, plus the Bureau of Meteorology.
The BoM’s Alex Clifton explained the annual climate statement http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/aus, and told us that Australia experienced its wettest November on record. There were continuous flood operations from November to February, and a total of 750 flood warnings were issued for Queensland, and 1,074 for NSW and ACT.
Jess Carey introduced two new services from the BoM:
The Australian Water Outlook – providing historical data, forecasts and projections for precipitation, soil moisture, runoff and evapotranspiration: https://awo.bom.gov.au
Australian Water Data Service – providing water data, spatial metadata and maps: https://portal.wsapi.cloud.bom.gov.au/arcgis/apps/sites/#/australian-water-data-service
The Insurance Council of Australia’s Liam Walter congratulated the BoM on its October Seasonal Outlook which he said had been verified by the flood and storm claims
experience.
He said the ICA considers there are too many homes are in direct line of flood, fire and cyclone, or at risk of actions of the sea, and that land use planning is one of the streams of work that collectively will build a more
resilient Australia.
“And a resilient Australia is an insurable Australia”.
Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech and Communications Director Sue Ribbons completed the day with their Workshop on the draft FMA Climate Change Policy
Position.
Thank you to panel members Louise Collier (Rhelm), Shannon Haines (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and Peter Sheath (Central Coast Council) for the wealth of practical information you contributed to the discussion.
The completed Policy will be provided for endorsement to the FMA AGM at the National Conference in May.
|
|
|
|
|
28 February 2022
When the Floods Recede is the Time for Serious Planning
The extensive and deadly flooding in Queensland and northern NSW serves as a warning that natural disasters are always just over the horizon, and all levels of government, as well as local communities, need to be
prepared.
As the cleanup of thousands of homes and businesses continues Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) President Ian Dinham said that now is the time to seriously plan to reduce the human and financial costs of flooding which will
inevitably happen again.
“Queensland is Australia’s most flood prone state, and this year we are seeing the full force of nature” Mr Dinham said. “The emergency services personnel have been doing an amazing job trying to keep people safe, and the State
Governments of Queensland and NSW have been very supportive during this emergency.
“However, when the water drops and the TV cameras leave, we must make sure that the lessons of this month are not lost. There has been tragic loss of life, there will be massive clean up jobs, then expensive and lengthy repair
projects. The stress and trauma can impact people’s lives forever, and the costs of social impacts are immeasurable.
“Floods of this magnitude demonstrate the value of land use planning that recognises flood risks, the benefits of investing in structural works to reduce effects of future floods, and the importance of communities that are
prepared for events like this” Mr Dinham said.
“We need Commonwealth, State and Local Governments to seriously plan for safer more flood resilient communities, and commit the funding needed to make this happen as a
priority.”
The annual cost of natural disasters is rising rapidly, and has been estimated to reach at least $73 billion by 2060. Flooding from rivers and local catchments is the most manageable of natural disasters.
Floodplain Management Australia brings together experts from across Australia and overseas to help build a more flood resilient nation. Members include over 170 councils, catchment management authorities, government agencies, businesses, and professionals involved in urban and rural flood risk management.
Read more media releases at floods.org.au/releases
|
CONSULTATION ON UPDATE OF THE NSW FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT MANUAL CLOSES 18 MARCH
|
Hopefully all NSW readers will be aware that consultation on the update of the 2005 NSW Floodplain
Development Manual and its supporting toolkit is underway until 18 March.
These documents are the result of several years of development by the Flood Team in the Environment, Energy and Science group of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, now the Department of Planning and
Environment (DPE).
Principal Flood Specialist Duncan McLuckie told the recent FMA Quarterly Meeting that the review of the Manual and its toolkit has focused on improving the understanding and management of flood risk in NSW, and the availability
and consideration of flood information in decisions.
He emphasised that the fundamental elements of the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy were not being changed.
FMA President Ian Dinham congratulated DPE on completion of the set of draft documents, stating that this is a significant milestone for flood risk management in NSW.
He urged all Members to make time to review the updated Manual and toolkit, and be sure to provide their comments to the DPE Flood Team.
Webinars outlining the changes were held for Councils in late February. A webinar for flood risk management industry representatives is planned for 3 March.
Details are available at: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/floodplains/flood-risk-management-manual-update.
Enquiries on the update can be directed to [email protected]
|
EARLY CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS CLOSE ON 25TH MARCH +
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP TOPIC ANNOUNCED!
|
|
|
FMA’s eighth National Conference, Integrated Floodplain Management: Creating Safer, Stronger Communities, commences in just 76 days.
Join 300+ colleagues at the Empire Theatre Toowoomba from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 May, with a Pre-conference Workshop on Tuesday 17 May.
Pre-conference Workshop: Australian Rainfall and Runoff – Where to Now?
Conference Program: Three streams, to be announced very soon
Tours: Toowoomba Never Floods... it's on top of the Range
Toowoomba Flood Mitigation Works
Grantham Township Relocation
There are still some opportunities for businesses to support the Conference and promote their products and services. A sponsorship package can be designed to suit your organisation’s specific
requirements.
Also, the Exhibition spaces are filling quickly, with limited booths available.
Registrations are now open, and specially reduced rates are provided just for this year to make it easier for Members to attend in person. So get in quick before 25
March!
If you can’t get to the Conference in person, online participation is available this year.
For the latest Conference information see: floodplainconference.com
|
SUBMISSION ON DRAFT NSW DESIGN AND PLACE SEPP
|
The new NSW Design and Place State Environmental Planning Policy (DP SEPP) 2021 and supporting guides
are part of a broader review of all SEPPs. The DP SEPP aims to simplify and consolidate how to address the need for sustainable and resilient places and deliver good design in NSW.
As discussed at recent Quarterly Meetings Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech has been representing FMA at workshops and has provided comment during development of the
SEPP.
Exhibition of the draft SEPP and associated documents commenced on 10 December and submissions closed on 28 February.
After reviewing the draft documents Mr Grech said that while recognising the need to consider Flood Risk Management early in the design process is a good thing, over simplistic guidance such as that proposed in the new Urban
Design Guide can have negative effects.
FMA has provided a submission which is available at the FMA website: floods.org.au/submissions
|
THE MINISTER'S PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND THE NEW NSW ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING POLICIES
|
On 2 December 2021, the (then) Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes
released a discussion paper that outlined nine focus areas to guide planning and development in NSW. (See: floods.org.au/submissions to read the paper.)
FMA Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech has provided the following explanation of the implications for flood risk management in NSW.
One of these nine principles was “4. Managing risks and building resilience in the face of hazards.” This principle regarding hazards included recognition of the need to reduce the risk and increase building resilience
associated with flooding and climate change.
The NSW Department of Environment and Planning has subsequently consolidated 45 existing State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) into 11 policies that reflect the nine new principles, plus two general administrative SEPPs.
The Department also reorganised the existing Planning Circulars and Ministerial Directions under the nine theme-based on focus areas. The relevant new SEPP will be called State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and
Hazards) 2021 and will replace:
State Environmental Planning Policy (Coastal Management) 2018;
State Environmental Planning Policy No 33—Hazardous and Offensive Development; and
State Environmental Planning Policy No 55—Remediation of Land.
The repeal of the 45 original SEPPs and commencement of the 11 new consolidated SEPPs occurred on 1 March 2022.
This consolidated new SEPP is effectively a house keeping measure and does not introduce any substantive changes to the legal provisions. Consequently the reorganisation of the SEPPs is only superficial and does not introduce
any state planning policies regarding flood risk management or climate change.
This contrasts with, for example, Queensland that has adopted a single State Planning Policy (SPP) some time ago, outlining 17 state interests arranged under five broad themes including “safety and resilience to hazards.”
The Queensland SPP is also accompanied by SPP Guidance material that includes direction on how to consider natural hazards such as flooding when preparing planning schemes (the equivalent of Local Environmental Plans in NSW).
Hopefully the new NSW Resilience and Hazards SEPP is the commencement of an evolution of state level planning direction, that builds on the Minister’s Principles, consistent with that advocated by the FMA Position Policy on Floodplain Risk Management in Land Use Planning endorsed by Members in 2015 and updated in May 2021.
|
NEED HELP WITH FLOOD MANAGEMENT?
|
FMA has a wide range of expertise within our Membership, and our
Members have collectively implemented thousands of flood risk management projects and programs.
If you find you need some guidance or inspiration to solve your flood problem the chances are that someone in our network can help.
A Member recently contacted us asking to be put in contact with anyone who had installed flood evacuation route signage.
FMA’s Executive Committee was able to provide details of a recently completed project involving installing 150 evacuation route signs in the Hawkesbury-Nepean floodplain.
Due to an additional Member query, if you have done any work specifically relating to "Vanishing Island" scenarios for Residential Developments on swift flowing sections of river floodplains below the PMF levels (in particular on the Brisbane River in the Brisbane City LGA), please contact Dominique
Jovanovic.
If you need some help, contact Dominique Jovanovic: [email protected] or Glenn
Evans: [email protected] and we will do our best to connect you with someone who can assist.
|
2022 RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS
|
Applications for the 2022 Resilient Australia Awards open on 7
March.
The awards recognise a wide range of initiatives with past projects centred on risk assessment and mitigation, mental health and wellbeing, education, training and research, and community engagement, as well as response and
recovery.
State and territory winners are considered for national awards, along with projects entered directly to the national awards.
The Resilient Australia Awards are sponsored by the Australian Government in partnership with the states and territories and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience
(AIDR).
For details see https://www.aidr.org.au/programs/resilient-australia-awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
Young Floodplain Managers (YFM) are pleased to announce their first webinar of 2022,
“YFM: International Careers and Floodplain Management”, to occur on Thursday 10th March 2022.
This webinar is a great opportunity for those interested in understanding differences and similarities in floodplain risk management overseas, and the amazing career opportunities available in the different geographies.
Joining us will be Barry Rodgers (BMT) and Chris Huxley (BMT), who will discuss their global experiences working in the floodplain management industries in the UK, USA and Australia.
The event will also incorporate a networking element - a great avenue to meet your peers, discuss key learnings, and brainstorm questions for the panel guests. In addition, at the webinar we will launch our trailer for the 2021 YFM Brisbane River Flood Ferry Tour Documentary!
Details for the March 2022 Webinar are below:
Webinar: YFM: International Careers and Floodplain Management
When: Thursday 10th March 2022, 12-1.15pm AEST
(1:00pm-2:15pm AEDT)
Where: Register at our Eventbrite! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/yfm-international-careers-and-floodplain-management-tickets-269450352257
For more information on the Young Floodplain Managers network, visit floods.org.au/yfm
|
|
|
The FMA Flyer reaches a wide range of industry professionals from Australia and
overseas, and if you have any recent projects or exciting news we would love to share it with our readers.
Send through details of your stories and we can include them in our upcoming issues by contacting [email protected].
|
|
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flood Engineer
Worley Parsons/WaterRIDE
If you are interested in promoting a vacant position with us, please contact us.
Please remember that while we circulate Vacant Positions in this monthly Flyer, sometimes position closing deadlines don't align with the time of its distribution. Make sure you head to floods.org.au/jobs to check for Vacant Positions that may not be listed here due to shorter closing dates.
|
|
TRAVELLING CAPS AND BEANIES
|
Do you have an FMA Cap or Beanie photo you'd like to share with Flyer readers?
|
|
|
So many of our Members, friends and colleagues are facing unfathomable challenges and difficulties at the moment. FMA is thinking of you, your families and your communities.
Please stay safe.
|
|
|
|
|
