FMA Flyer 9 September

Published: Fri, 10/01/21

FLYER ISSUE 9: SEPTEMBER 2021

READ IN BROWSER https://archive.aweber.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MzcwMjQzMQ==/fma-flyer-9-september.htm

NEXT FMA MEETING: COMBINED QLD + NSW/ACT CHAPTER MEETING 18 NOVEMBER ONLINE

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

As I write this message we are approaching the time of year which is nowadays designated as “Storm Season”.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that this year’s Storm Season is likely to bring similar conditions to what was experienced last season – widespread heavy rain and the very real risk of riverine and flash flooding.

I’ve just seen the latest warnings including one which says from Wednesday, September 29, to Friday, October 1, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds and possible flash flooding in the Canberra region.

Our emergency services personnel are urging people to make sure they are ready once Storm Season arrives this October.

Simple things like cleaning your gutters, downpipes and drains and removing blockages, trimming trees and branches that could fall, fixing holes in your roof and having an emergency kit can all go a long way to helping you be prepared this Storm Season.

I must confess that all too often my personal “storm management strategy” has been standing on a ladder in pouring rain at night time wearing my raincoat as I try to unblock the overflowing house guttering!

It seems that the Storm Season is now a certainty every year so the emergency services message I should be listening to is:-

Move cars under cover or away from trees
Remember to never drive, walk or ride through floodwater
Secure or put away loose items around the house, yard and balcony
Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences
Stay indoors away from windows.

As a car lover, I especially like the first one as our cars are works of art!

In the event that severe weather is expected, make sure you are ready for when it hits, so you can keep yourself, your family, your animals, your home and your cars safe.

ID

Ian Dinham | FMA President

NOVEMBER FMA MEETINGS GO ONLINE ON 18 NOVEMBER

Due to continuing uncertainties about travel and meetings the FMA Quarterly Meetings and Workshops scheduled for Brisbane on 10 November and Sydney on 18 November will now be held online on Thursday 18 November.

More details soon, but please save the date.

WARRAGAMBA DAM RAISING - MEMBERS' VIEWS SOUGHT

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is exhibiting a State Significant Infrastructure application, Environmental Impact Statement and accompanying documents for the Warragamba Dam Raising project.

This project is a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and will be assessed under the bilateral agreement between the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, or an accredited assessment process.

Warragamba Dam Wall raising would provide temporary inflow storage at Lake Burragorang to facilitate downstream flood mitigation in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, west of Sydney. The Project comprises the following main activities and elements:

Demolition or removal of parts of the existing Warragamba Dam, including the existing drum and radial gates
Thickening and raising of the dam abutments and raising of the central spillway
New gates or slots for discharge of water from the dam and modifications to the auxiliary spillway
Other infrastructure and elements including new roads, bridges, ancillary facilities and installation of environmental flows infrastructure.

Further information is available at: planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/on-exhibition

Comments can be provided to DPIE until Friday 12 November.

FMA has previously advised that raising the dam wall appears to be the only feasible flood mitigation measure for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, however there would be environmental and aboriginal heritage impacts. To assist in preparing FMA comment on the proposal we would appreciate Members’ views on the benefits and costs.

Please provide comments by Friday 5 November to Executive Officer Glenn Evans: [email protected]

DISASTER RESILIENCE EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) has launched the latest in its handbook series, the Disaster Resilience Education for Young People Handbook.

The handbook provides guidance for those seeking to engage young people in learning and action for disaster risk reduction and resilience. Through participation and education, young people can act as agents of change.

The handbook is designed to support

teachers and educators, executive and leadership teams in schools and early learning centres
organisations engaging with schools and early learning communities
organisations engaging with young people
policy makers in education settings.

Neil Dufty, Principal of FMA Member Molino Stewart Pty Ltd, was the handbook writer.

The handbook and a 60 minute webinar are available at: knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/handbook-disaster-resilience-education

Also, the AIDR plans to mark the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by launching its next handbook, the Systemic Disaster Risk Handbook.

FMA EXCELLENCE AWARDS SPONSOR - CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The FMA Excellence Awards commenced in 2014, and recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations towards promoting wise land use planning, reducing flood impacts, managing flood incidents or restoring communities after a flood event.

FMA is now seeking a naming rights sponsor for the 2022 Flood Risk Management Project of the Year Award. Winners of the award will receive a substantial cash prize to assist in implementing a flood risk management activity or flood education project, plus the opportunity to showcase their project at the gala Excellence Awards Dinner, held at the annual FMA National Conference.

FMA President Ian Dinham said the Excellence Awards program has highlighted the great number of complex and innovative activities being undertaken across the country to make our communities safer in times of flood. “I wish to thank NRMA Insurance for their generous support of the Flood Risk Management Project of the Year Award since its inception,” Mr Dinham said.

Winning projects have included:

Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Community Resilience Program, NSW State Emergency Service with Infrastructure NSW - 2021
Toowoomba Region Floodplain Management: Safer, Stronger, More Resilient Region, Toowoomba Regional Council - 2018
Flood Integrated Decision Support System, Melbourne Water and BMT WBM with Deltares – 2017

Mr Dinham said that with FMA’s membership continuing to grow he looks forward to even more visionary projects being nominated for the award in future years. “The Excellence Awards not only highlight the vital work of FMA Members, they elevate the importance of flood risk management at all levels of government”, Mr Dinham said. “FMA is now looking to partner with an industry leader to further develop the Excellence Awards program for 2022 and beyond.”

If you are interested in discussing opportunities to work with FMA to promote excellence in flood risk management, and raise the profile of your organisation, please contact Executive officer Glenn Evans: [email protected].

FMA WEBINAR SERIES

FMA is running an FMA Member exclusive webinar series over the next few months. The presentations feature some of the most popular presentations from our 2021 Conference program.

The current Webinar available until the 14th October is:

Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Landowner Consultation – Engineers can do the talking

Speaker: Ed Henty, Dryside Engineering

You will need to have registered for the Members' Section to view the webinars. If have not registered for access to the Members’ Section, or have forgotten your login details, contact [email protected].

If you aren’t an FMA Member, but are interested in joining our network of over 160 councils, catchment management authorities, organisations and flood risk professionals, visit floods.org.au/membership.

QUEENSLAND RESILIENCE IN PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM

The inaugural Resilience in Practice Symposium will be hosted by the Disaster Management and Resilience Facility at Griffith University’s Nathan campus on 18 and 19 October.

The program includes a joint-agency Recovery in Practice Workshop and Panel, and a full day Flood Resilience Forum.

The event is supported by Griffith University, the Flood Community of Practice, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and Suncorp.

Full details in the event flyer.

CLIMATE RISK WEBINAR SERIES

Risk Frontiers has announced its 2021 Webinar Series Analysis to resilience: science to support decision-making in a warming world, commencing on 13 October.

Topics are:

Our warming world. Implications of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report for Australia
The physical climate risk of not meeting the Paris 1.5-degree target in Australia
Evaluating the role of building codes to build resilience to tropical cyclone impacts.

Details are at: riskfrontiers.com/insights/risk-frontiers-webinar-series-2021

FLOODPLAIN RISK MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

For the last 14 years FMA has enjoyed a partnership with the University Technology Sydney (UTS) and the Environment, Energy and Science Group of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE EES) in the development and implementation of the highly successful Floodplain Risk Management Short Course.

The course is a one-of-a-kind product in Australia, aimed at engineers, emergency managers and land use planners who are engaged in, or seeking to enter, the floodplain risk management industry, as well as UTS undergraduate students.

In 2020 the short course was successfully delivered online as a trial, however the course was placed in hiatus for 2021 by UTS because of the current pandemic.

Due to the strong interest in the course FMA has written to the UTS seeking a commitment that the Floodplain Risk Management short course will again be offered in Spring 2022.

MONTHLY YFM FEATURE

The Young Floodplain Managers have some exciting announcements this month:

Learning from the past: Remembering Brisbane River Flooding

Join the QLD YFM on a walking and ferry tour of the Brisbane River this November, and learn how Brisbane River flood events have changed people's lives and shaped our industry. Starting at Guyatt Park and ending at Bulimba, listen to several floodplain professionals and historians tell the story of Brisbane River, including remembering the 2011 flood event. Book the afternoon of Saturday 20th November in your diary, and join the YFM group on Linkedin (search "FMA Young Floodplain Managers") or our mailing list (visit https://www.floods.org.au/site/yfm) to hear first about registrations opening, as places will be limited!

For those not in QLD or unable to join in person, we aim to film the tour and host an online launch of the film next year.

Volunteer with Us!

Interested in helping develop early career professionals in the floodplain management industry? The YFM QLD committee is seeking new volunteers for 2022; particularly non-gineers or persons located beyond Brisbane. Commitment is often only a couple of hours each quarter. Contact [email protected] to indicate your interest.

DO YOU HAVE NEWS?

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].