| FLYER ISSUE 8: AUGUST 2022 | |
NEXT FMA MEETINGS: QLD CHAPTER 9 NOVEMBER, BRISBANE + NSW/ACT CHAPTER 17 NOVEMBER, SYDNEY
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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The big news this month is the Federal Government announcement of a $75 million investment in flood mitigation and infrastructure resilience programs for New South Wales. The support will be delivered across the 62 Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were disaster-declared after the February-March flood event. Whilst this is great news we have to be ready for the long haul before we can see a “shovel in the ground”. The announcement lists flood
mitigation measures including: - $40 million for flood infrastructure
- $15 million for flood warning gauges
- $14 million for a levee assessment and improvement
- $5 million for valley level
flood assessments
- $1 million for a flood infrastructure impact assessment.
None of these will commence overnight and all of them will take years to complete. My fear is that climate change will bring further drought before these flood mitigation measures can be completed and the focus of our Government will turn away from the devastation of flooding in favour of other priorities. FMA has advocated real investment in floodplain management for the past 61 years and we
will need to continue our efforts for the next 61 years if Australia is ever going to maintain its efforts to reduce the forecast costs of flood damage. Australia remains the driest country in the world but our floods cost more than our other natural disasters. That will only change if we continue ongoing investment such as that which has been announced by the Government this month. But there lies a challenge for us! Funding will only continue if we, as floodplain management
practitioners, do our job well. The onus is on us to deliver projects which are effective in reducing damage and improving safety for our communities. We must find ways to get things done quicker, better and more often. Our politicians will want to see real benefits from this funding if it is to continue. ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
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NSW FLOOD INQUIRY REPORTS RELEASED, FMA WARY ABOUT SOME PLANNING ASPECTS
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The NSW Government has released the reports of two inquiries commenced after the devastating floods earlier this year. The report of the Select Committee on the Response to Major Flooding across NSW in 2022 contains 37 recommendations, one of which echoes FMA’s submission to the Inquiry: Recommendation 35 That the New South Wales Government significantly increase investment in flood mitigation and preparation, including
its support of local councils to do the same, by: - Increasing ongoing long term funding and access to technical guidance and assistance for local councils
- Ensuring that land-use planning and development takes a risk-based approach.
The report of the NSW Independent Flood Inquiry contains 28 recommendations, of which the NSW Government supports six, and supports 22 in principle “with
further work to be done on implementation”. It is very wide-ranging, across all levels of Government and communities. Huge changes are recommended including a new NSW Reconstruction Authority, changes in river gauge ownership and centralisation of the Bureau of Meteorology, Resilience NSW reforming into Recovery NSW, a single NSW disaster app, a back-office merger of the Rural Fire Service and SES, and many recommendations focussed on town planning. In discussing the recommendations at the
recent FMA Quarterly Meeting, Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech said there are key elements that, depending on how ultimately implemented, provide reason for concern about some of the planning aspects. "One key element in the NSW Flood Inquiry's report is the welcomed endorsement of a risk based approach to flood risk planning although this is without painting a clear picture of what is understood by that. There remains a focus on persisting with a singular flood planning
level and area and concentrating resources on reviewing that single level within each Local Government Area, and within the next three years for high risk areas" Mr Grech said. “I have advocated for decades now that persistence with a singular flood planning level is the antithesis of a risk based approach to planning. “It was 11 years ago that the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommended the mapping of three or more flood precincts for planning purposes that provides a cornerstone to a risk
based approach and transparent communication to the general public of all flood risks. I note that both Inquiries identified the complaint of the general public in not being able to identify their true flood risk as a major issue.”
As a result of Member responses a small Working Group is being established to discuss the land use planning implications of the Inquiries' recommendations. Anyone
interested in joining the group should contact Paul Grech: Paul@glnplanning.com.au.
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$75 MILLION FOR NSW FLOOD MITIGATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE PROGRAMS
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The Federal Government has announced a $75 million investment in flood mitigation and infrastructure resilience programs for New South Wales. The support will be delivered across the 62 Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were disaster-declared after the February-March flood event. The program is wholly funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Emergency Response Fund, but will be delivered by NSW
Government agencies, including Resilience NSW, the Department of Regional NSW and the Department of Planning and Environment. The program includes: - $40 million for flood infrastructure: grants for Councils and government agencies for flood mitigation projects, including funding for home raising projects.
- $15 million for flood warning
gauges: support for councils and government agencies to install, upgrade and operate flood warning gauges, systems and associated advice to make the community aware of the warning system.
- $14 million for a levee assessment and improvement program: flood impact assessments of flood mitigation infrastructure damaged by the February-March flood event. These assessments will be used as the basis for flood mitigation repairs and improvements.
- $5
million for valley level flood assessments: to provide improved information for flood risk management and emergency management decisions, and support improved State-wide understanding of flood risk.
- $1 million for a flood infrastructure impact assessment and report: to outline flood infrastructure impacts, available information on the relative rarity of the flood at key locations and identify known priority flood risk management measures.
Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese said “Too often disaster support is provided after a major disaster, rather than being invested earlier to keep communities safer”. FMA President Ian Dinham welcomed the announcement, saying it marks a good start to the new Government delivering the recommendation of the 2014 Productivity Commission Report on Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements that the Commonwealth Government invests $200 million a year to begin reducing the cost of natural
disasters. “This needs to be matched by the states and territories to help bring the escalating costs of natural disasters under control” Mr Dinham said.
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AN UNUSUALLY WET SPRING ON THE WAY
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The FMA Quarterly Meeting heard from Bureau of Meteorology Senior Climatologist Hugh McDowell that the 2021- 22 La Nina event ended in June 2022, but the outlooks suggest La Nina is likely to return in Spring. Four of seven models reach La Nina thresholds by October, five by November and perhaps becoming neutral by January. The Bureau’s ENSO status is La Nina Alert.
Mr
McDowell said this means high to very chances of increased rainfall and increased frequency of rainfall across eastern Australia, an unusually wet spring with a high chance of well above average rainfall amounts. With the recent weather conditions the water storages are very much above average, there is also much above-average soil moisture, so there is a lot of water in the landscape and, with the climate outlook as well, that gives the increased chance of widespread flooding for
parts of eastern Australia. There is also an increased chance of coastal flooding and coastal erosion, and there could be an early first tropical cyclone, with an increased frequency of tropical cyclones. For an in-depth update on current flood related weather and climate issues be sure to attend the next FMA Quarterly Meeting in November.
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NATURAL HAZARDS RESEARCH FORUM - BRISBANE 12 TO 14 OCTOBER
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A new national forum of natural hazards research will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 October, hosted by Natural Hazards Research Australia. The Natural Hazards Research Forum is the inaugural annual forum from the Centre, bringing together people from research, government, industry and community to share knowledge about natural
hazards research. The CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, Andrew Gissing, said the conference was an important early initiative of the Centre. “The Centre has identified a need to bring together a broad but inter-connected sector to actively engage in knowledge sharing and discussion about research across major natural hazards themes, with a particular emphasis on research that is used, useful and usable.” Themes include: - Communities and workforces of the
future
- Sustainable, safe and healthy natural landscapes
- Resilient built environment
- Resilient communities
- Situational awareness
- Operational response and innovation
- Evidence-informed policy, strategy
and foresight
- Learning from disasters
The Natural Hazards Research Forum will formally launch the Centre and its research programs, and will also feature natural hazard research and operational experts from other organisations to contribute to discussions about Australia’s research needs and future. Details are at:
naturalhazards.com.au/nhrf
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FRM SHORT COURSE ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN
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The Flood Risk Management Short Course still has one block available for the remainder of 2022. The course
is hosted by the University of Technology, Sydney, with input from FMA and the NSW Government. The links for enrolment and more information on content are are now available at https://open.uts.edu.au/uts-open/study-area/built-environment/
Block 3 Managing Flood Risk to Existing Properties 6, 13 and 20 October
The course has been designed
to: - Equip you with good understanding of how FRM is undertaken in NSW and other flood prone states in Australia, and the roles of relevant agencies
- Provide you with a solid understanding of the principles of FRM and the desired outcomes of FRM projects
- Improve your skills to work on FRM projects and be more effectively involved in the FRM process; and
- Enhance your ability to specify and manage FRM projects.
The cost per block is $550 (GST-free)* *Price subject to change. Please check price at time of purchase. If you have any queries about the course, please email:Associate Professor Jaya Kadasamy, UTS School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Jaya.Kandasamy@uts.edu.au.
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U.S. SMART VENT MANUFACTURER SEEKING AN AUSTRALIAN PARTNER
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FMA has been approached by the US Consulate General which is assisting New Jersey-based company Floodproofing.com with research on the Australian market for their Smart Vent. The product line of engineered flood vents protects buildings during floods by preventing hydrostatic pressure buildup that can destroy walls and foundations. This mitigation technique allows floodwater to freely flow through an enclosure such as a crawlspace or garage to relieve that pressure and protect homes and businesses. The company is wishing to
identify possible ways to enter the Australian market, and vendors of flood prevention solutions who may be interested in partnering. For further information about this opportunity please contact Glenn Evans: eo@floods.asn.au
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While it may be a few months away, please note the upcoming dates for FMA Meetings in November: Queensland Chapter Meeting and Workshop Wednesday, 9 November at Brisbane
NSW/ACT Chapter Meeting and Workshop Thursday, 17 November at Sydney
We encourage you to attend to get the latest updates from State agencies and Members, including the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Department of Planning and Environment, State Emergency Service and Insurance Council of Australia.
Business Papers and further details will be circulated closer to the dates.
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QLD Chapter Event The YFM QLD committee is pleased to announce registrations are open for its inaugural innovation challenge event: the TriWater Cup! At this event, your team will be paired with an experienced industry mentor, and together you will optioneer measures to manage
potential flood scenarios for an Olympic event location. You'll gain knowledge from experts like Steven Molino (Principal and Director at Molino Stewart, a Water Technology Company), who will recount experiences designing mitigation and evacuation strategies for sports stadiums and large tourist events. You'll be challenged to think outside your comfort zone by professionals in non-flood fields, like tourism managers. And you'll pitch your ideas before industry experts like Graeme Milligan, Strategic Advisor and former Executive Director of
QRA. The Cup will be a joint in-person and online event on Sunday 9th October from 10-2pm, followed by a social networking opportunity. We thank AECOM for supporting FMA YFM by hosting the in-person contingent of the Cup at their location at Level 8, 540 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Australia. Pull together a team or let us group you; just be sure to register quickly as places are limited! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-inaugural-triwater-cup-a-yfm-qld-innovation-challenge-tickets-406015853347 NSW Chapter Tour The Young Floodplain Management NSW Chapter invites you to a Tour of Green Square Trunk Drainage! Hear from City of Sydney and UNSW Water Research Laboratory about this award-winning project which reduces flood risk in one of Sydney’s most urbanised pockets. Date: Friday 7 October 2022 4-5pm: Presentation at Green Square Library 5-6.30pm: Walking tour along the trunk drain route 6.30pm onwards: Yulli’s Brews There are limited spots for the tour, so if you don't want to miss out, book your spot right now! Tickets are available at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/nsw-yfm-tour-green-square-trunk-drainage-tickets-409680404117?aff=ebdssbdestsearch (Or search ‘FMA YFM’.) Further News YFM QLD is seeking expressions of interest for its committee in 2023. We’re keen for new volunteers, particularly those based outside of Brisbane, those with a non-engineering background, and
those working outside of consultancies. But even if you are an engineer in a Brisbane-based consultancy, we’d welcome your EOI! What’s the commitment? Committee members participate in a monthly 30minute phone call, and from there identify how much further support they are able to provide in organising various events for YFM members. We’re all time-limited and very respectful of people’s life-balance and work needs, so you’ll find us a safe, guilt-and-judgement-fee zone (and, an excellent network-building opportunity). Plus, there’s no age limit! We really welcome more senior professionals on our committee as often they can provide connection to excellent
potential speakers. So, if supporting early-career professionals sparks your interest, please contact us at yfm@floods.asn.au before November.
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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.asn.au.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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TRAVELLING CAPS AND BEANIES
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