| FLYER ISSUE 11: NOVEMBER
2021
| READ IN BROWSER https://floods.optin.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MTIyNjMzMDE=/fma-flyer-11-november.htm
|
NEXT FMA MEETING: BRISBANE - 9 FEBRUARY 2022 + SYDNEY - 17 NOVEMBER 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
|
As we joined together recently for another successful FMA Quarterly Meeting and Workshop in November, we reflected on a year of floods around Australia and reached out to our friends in Forbes as they experienced major flooding and associated damage.
However, as predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), we were in for more to come and mother nature hasn’t let us down.
As we speak today, the Southern Downs area, south-west of Brisbane, has been drenched with rainfall, with roads turning into rivers in the town of Warwick.
Further north, Mackay has also been saturated with floodwaters, prompting a number of warnings.
In NSW, major flood warnings remain in place for parts of the Namoi and Macquarie rivers in the state's north and the Lachlan River in the central west.
The Namoi River is continuing to flood the state's North West after a weekend of significant damage and water level rises.
At Gunnedah, it's at 8.31m and is steady at the moment after a peak on the weekend.
Evacuations have been called in the Hunter Valley and the BOM expects more of this weather over the coming months.
It’s going to be a very tough Christmas for many of us this year and our thoughts are with the Emergency Services personnel who will be continuing to help people for weeks to come.
We have made it through a very difficult year with flooding and COVID-19 and there will be more trials ahead in the next 3 months or so.
My many thanks go to all of you who have worked tirelessly through the year to manage the flood menace with flood mitigation, land use planning, emergency response, flood modelling and plans for the future.
We will be together again in 2022 to share our experiences and I look forward to seeing your abstracts submitted this week for the conference in Toowoomba.
In the meantime, Best Wishes to all of you for a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New year.
ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
|
|
|
2022 FMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE - CALL FOR ABSTRACTS EXTENDED
|
|
The 2022 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference will be held at Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Queensland from Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th May 2022, with optional pre-conference workshops on Tuesday 17th May. For the first time, the Conference will be hybrid and include an online component for those attendees that are unable to travel.
FMA understands that this time of year is incredibly busy for our Members, and as such has decided to extend the Call for Abstracts until Friday 10 December.
Make the most of the extension and get your abstract in now!
For further information, as well as online abstract submission, please visit floodplainconference.com
If you are interested in being a sponsor or trade exhibitor at the Conference, you can download the Sponsorship Prospectus at floodplainconference.com.
Remember, the Call for Abstracts Now Closes Friday 10 December 2021.
|
PREPARING AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES - LOCAL STREAM PROGRAM
|
The Commonwealth Government’s Preparing Australian Communities program provides locally identified and locally led projects with up to $10 million in funding to improve the resilience of communities against natural hazards.
It will prioritise projects in locations where there is a greater risk of natural hazards, including bushfires, floods and tropical cyclones. Councils are eligible to apply.
Applications open on 10 December 2021 and close on 6 January 2022.
Guidelines, a sample application form and a sample grant agreement can be found at www.business.gov.au/PACPL.
|
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH ANU DISASTER SOLUTIONS INSTITUTE
|
|
The Australian National University’s Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) is seeking to partner with a flood-prone community organisation interested in working with ANU’s researchers to apply for the upcoming round of the Preparing Australian Communities
Grant.
ICEDS harnesses and boosts ANU expertise, research and engagement in climate, energy and disaster-risk research. With the goal of advancing innovative solutions, the Institute facilitates integrated approaches to research and community engagement across disciplines.
The Disaster Solutions portfolio aims to develop unique and transformational solutions to prevent disasters in partnership with stakeholders, with the ambitious goal of leaving nothing to chance.
ICEDS has assembled an experienced group of researchers across water science, economics, social science, policy and modelling. This team is developing a process to evaluate options for minimizing the impacts of floods. They plan to partner with communities in flood-prone areas and to work with them to weigh up options for reducing community vulnerability to
floods.
If you would like to know more, or if you know of a community that would be interested in this opportunity, please contact Carla Alzamora carla.alzamoragoncalves@anu.edu.au by 6 December.
|
WARRAGAMBA DAM RAISING IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAVING LIVES
|
President Ian Dinham has told the recent FMA Quarterly Meeting that raising the wall of Warragamba Dam is essential if the risk of catastrophic flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley is to be meaningfully reduced.
Mr Dinham said there is a clear and present risk to life for about 55,000 people in a 1 in 100 chance in a year flood, and from past experience a significant number of those people will not try to evacuate until it’s too late.
Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Management Taskforce investigated options to reduce overall flood risk in the valley and concluded that a mix of infrastructure and non-infrastructure measures was required to reduce and manage flood risk.
The only infrastructure measures supported by the Taskforce are raising the dam wall to temporarily hold back and slowly release floodwaters, and local evacuation road upgrades.
“We recognise that there are important environmental and cultural issues to consider in raising the dam and these must be effectively managed, but at the end of the day, this is about saving lives,” Mr Dinham said.
“FMA is firmly of the view that the risk of catastrophic flooding for residents of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley is unacceptable, and a suite of integrated measures including flood mitigation infrastructure, appropriate risk-based land use planning and community resilience initiatives is required to appropriately manage the risk.
“For a 1 in 100 chance in a year flood raising the dam would reduce the number of people needing to evacuate from 55,000 to 14,000. The consequent reduction in risk to life, damage to private property and public infrastructure, and the on-going financial, psychological and health impacts on the community would be enormous.”
Mr Dinham thanked all those Members who provided feedback for FMA’s submission on the Warragamba Dam Wall Raising Environmental Impact Statement.
He said FMA will be supporting the dam raising as the only feasible mitigation option, but combined with land use planning measures to address future risk and the continuing upgrade of evacuation routes as contained in the Taskforce Report.
Read FMA’s Submission on the Warragamba Dam Raising EIS at: https://www.floods.org.au/site/fma-submissions
|
ECONOMIC COSTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS UPDATED
|
The Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience and Safer Communities has released an update to previous research into the economic costs of natural disasters in Australia. The report extends previous analysis to consider how climate change will affect costs under three different climate change scenarios.
The Special report: Update to the economic costs of natural disasters in Australia prepared by Deloitte Access Economics says natural disasters presently cost the Australian economy $38 billion per year on average, but this will rise to at least $73 billion annually by 2060.
Increasing costs will be driven by a combination of climate change, growth in population in exposed areas and the real value of property.
The report finds that two thirds of the costs from natural disasters will be in incurred in Queensland and NSW over the next forty years as they become more exposed to tropical cyclones and floods.
Costs in Melbourne and Brisbane will also increase significantly, as major rivers in these cities alongside growing populations will lead to greater costs associated with flooding for Melbourne and tropical cyclones and floods for Brisbane.
The report suggests that scaling up investments in both infrastructure and community preparedness programs will be required to reduce the significant anticipated costs from natural disasters.
Access the report at: http://australianbusinessroundtable.com.au/our-research
|
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND WARNINGS HANDBOOK
|
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience has published its updated Public Information and Warnings Handbook and companion documents.
The revision includes research outputs from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre communications and warnings research project and reflects the adoption of the Australian Warning System, endorsed by the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee in March 2021.
The handbook provides insight and guidance to people who have responsibility for communication with the public in the event of an emergency, and presents nationally agreed principles for warning policy.
A new companion has been developed on the elements of the Australian Warning System. Previously, there have been different warning systems for different hazard types across Australia. The Australian Warning System aims to provide a consistent warnings approach.
The Handbook is available at: https://www.aidr.org.au/news/updated-public-information-and-warnings-handbook-now-online/
|
INTERESTED IN AN UPDATE TO ARR?
|
A question to the recent FMA Quarterly Meeting concerned the need for an update to Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR), and whether there may be a role for FMA.
Technical Director Danny Rose advised that discussions had been held with the FMA Executive Committee and agency colleagues, and the general feeling is that if there were to be any updates to ARR they are likely to be minor.
As FMA’s resources are limited this is not a project that we would lead, however FMA does support the practical application of ARR and consideration is being given to a Pre-Conference Workshop on ARR, and what its future direction and implementation may be.
If you are interested in attending or facilitating a Workshop on ARR please send a brief email to Executive Office Glenn Evans: eo@floods.org.au
|
WINNING PRESENTATIONS SHOW FMA IS NOT JUST ABOUT FLOOD MODELS
|
|
The November FMA Workshop showcased four winning presenters from the 2021 FMA National Conference, demonstrating the breadth of interests and expertise among our Membership.
Prawi Woods (Catchment Simulation Solutions) spoke on plans to save Endangered Green and Golden Bell Frogs, Filippo Dall'Osso (Molino Stewart) reviewed flood damage estimations, and Alex Nero (AECOM) asked whether school flood education could be the catalyst for advancing women in STEM.
The most poignant item was undoubtedly the video presented by Claire Turrell (NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment) entitled Aboriginal Storytelling of Flooding in the Hunter Valley.
The video shares Elders’ memories of historical flooding, of cultural history and their connections to country within the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme, as well as their hopes for the future.
Claire said that the work done by the Department in consulting and engaging with the Aboriginal Community has yielded some amazing responses, and one of the Land Council CEOs had said that the repairs to the rivers is likened to the repair of the relationship that they have with European settlement in the area.
You can view the video at:
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/floodplains/hunter-valley-flood-mitigation-scheme
|
|
|
FMA is running an FMA Member exclusive webinar series over the next few months. The presentations feature some of the most popular presentations from the 2021 Conference Program.
The current webinar available until 9 December is:
Capturing and Integrating Local Knowledge and Stories in the Condamine Floodplain Modelling
Speakers: Laura Jarman, ARTC and Martin Boshoff, AECOM
|
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 projectservices@floods.org.au.
If you aren’t an FMA Member, but are interested in joining our network of over 170 councils, catchment management authorities, organisations and flood risk professionals, visit floods.org.au/membership.
Also, don’t forget that you are able to access an archive of the 2020 FMA Webinar Series presentations in the Members’ Section of floods.org.au!
NATIONAL RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
|
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience has announced the finalists of the 2021 National Resilient Australia Awards. Winners will be announced at an online event on Wednesday 8 December.
The Resilient Australia Awards is a nation-wide program to recognise and promote initiatives that strengthen community disaster resilience. The awards showcase innovation and exemplary practice across Australia, celebrating achievements that might otherwise go unseen, and inspiring others to build greater disaster resilience in their own communities.
Congratulations to all finalists, particularly the following FMA Members:
FloodMapp
FloodMapp is a start-up Brisbane technology company with a vision to create a safer, more resilient future. FloodMapp developed a world-first, ground-breaking software for scalable, real-time flood modelling for disaster managers.
Victoria State Emergency Service and North Central Catchment Management Authority with Campaspe Shire Council
The 2011 floods highlighted the strength of the Rochester community, as people came together and helped each other to respond and recover. The Resilient Rochester Project developed and implemented local solutions to help everyone in Rochester.
Mackay Regional Council
'P-CEP in Mackay' introduced Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness to improve the safety and wellbeing in disasters of people with disability. The project employed a capacity development approach to engage people with disability and their carers, community, health, aged care, and disability service providers, together with emergency managers.
NSW SES Volunteers Association
Volunteers of the NSW SES respond to various emergencies within their communities, and the recent drought created significant stressors to this volunteer capability especially within rural areas. The SES VA has trained and accredited members as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructors.
Learn more about the Awards at: https://www.aidr.org.au/programs/resilient-australia-awards
|
DISASTER EDUCATION GUIDE REVIEWED
|
In 2020 Neil Dufty published a detailed guide to the design and evaluation of effective disaster learning programs 'Disaster Education, Communication and Engagement'. The book outlines steps to take in order to tailor a disaster education, communication and engagement program and
provides examples of effective programs and activities.
The book has been reviewed in the October edition of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management. Reviewer Adjunct Professor Jim McLennan from La Trobe University says “The title of the book could quite reasonably be extended to read—'or how to go beyond just putting information and templates on my agency website’.”
“With its linking of education, communication and engagement as central to effective community-based disaster risk reduction, the book is a very welcome addition to the quite limited material available about how to develop and implement effective community-focused safety programs.”
Read the full review at:
https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-october-2021-book-review-disaster-education-communication-and-engagement/
The book is available at:
https://www.wiley.com/en-au/Disaster+Education%2C+Communication+and+Engagement-p-9781119569787
|
|
|
|
YFM QLD Year in Review
We want to thank all our volunteers and members for allowing 2021 to be such a successful year for YFM QLD. This year, we:
- Learned about the benefits of collaboration for floodplain management projects via an online webinar in February, featuring Graeme Milligan and Ella Harrison.
- Heard from Dwayne Honor via an online webinar in April, who discussed his experience working through a significant flood event in Bundaberg
- Gathered in West End to experience an in-person post-online-conference networking event, with a kick-off chat by Gareth Moore
- Had fun with a trivia evening in Brisbane, and social catchup in the Sunshine coast, in August following the FMA Quarterly Meeting
- Enjoyed and were empowered by stories of historic flooding from Samantha Watt, Margaret Cook, Andrew Thompson, Trent Laves and James Weidmann during a walking/ferry tour of the Brisbane River in November
- Listened to Cathie Barton from BMT discuss the Brisbane River Flood Study at the post-tour networking event sponsored by BMT.
|
Attendees enjoying the recent Brisbane River Walking Tour and Post Tour Networking Event, sponsored by BMT.
If you would like to get involved in creating future opportunities for furthering early career professionals,
we are particularly seeking people external to Brisbane, nongineers and Council staff to join our committee. Contact Alana Mosely at Alana.Mosely@moretonbay.qld.gov.au to express interest!
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 projectservices@floods.org.au.
|
|
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
|
|
|
|
|
No vacancies
If you are interested in promoting a vacant position with us, please contact us.
|
|
TRAVELLING CAPS AND BEANIES
|
|
Pictured: FMA Cap at the recent flooding in Gunnedah, provided by FMA President Ian Dinham.
Do you have an FMA Cap or Beanie photo you'd like to share with Flyer readers?
|
|
|
|
|