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| FLYER ISSUE 3: MARCH 2026 | |
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Welcome to the March edition of the Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) Monthly Flyer. As you will see later in this Flyer,
FMA is excited and proud to announce our Executive Team for the next 2 years at the conclusion of our Annual General Meeting in a few weeks’ time. I am deeply honoured to be your FMA President for the next 2 years and really look forward to working with the FMA Executive Team. A
heartfelt thanks to our Communications Director of the past 2 years, Cath Walker, who will be stepping away from the role to focus on her family activities. In the same breath, we welcome Stephanie Kermode to the role of Communications Director. Stephanie is currently working for HARC as a Principal in Water Resources Modelling and Strategy. Welcome Steph! So excited that you are joining the FMA Executive Team. More excitement … less than a month of sleeps before the Floodplain Management Australia 2026 Annual National Conference in the Gold Coast! Last minute finishing touches are being made, and the conference is shaping up to be a fantastic event that brings together our flood risk management family for FMA’s annual flagship event. I am pleased to advise that we already
have more than 450 people registered. The latest Conference
Program is available on the FMA Conference Website with more than 100 presentations and more than 50 poster papers over the 3 days
from Wednesday 22 April to Friday 24 April. After receiving more than 200 abstracts, we will be hosting 4 presentation streams on the Wednesday and Friday (as usual), but we have added an extra stream on the Thursday so that we will have 5 presentation streams on the Thursday for the first time. There are also half-day pre-conference Workshops on Tuesday 21 April, technical tours on the Wednesday and of course, our social events on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Don’t miss out … register
now! If you are a member of FMA, don’t forget to proudly include the appropriate FMA logo in your email address block to let people know that you are a member of FMA. We do ask that you use the artwork as supplied and note that the use of the logo does not imply endorsement by FMA.    
Can’t wait to see you at the conference.
Don’t forget to stop by the FMA booth to say hi! Sue Ribbons FMA President
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2026 FMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE - OVER 450 ALREADY REGISTERED!
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The FMA National Conference From Risk to Resilience: Advancing Flood Management at the Gold Coast is just three weeks away, and already we have a huge response. If you haven’t registered yet, check out the Conference Website to see the extensive range of presentations and activities on offer. If you have any responsibilities in flood risk and emergency management this event will provide much needed practical guidance for preparing for unexpected flood events. New Conference Sponsors Confirmed We are delighted to announce that the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is confirmed as a Silver Sponsor of the Conference. DCCEEW works to ensure a sustainable NSW through climate change and energy action, water management, environment and heritage conservation and protection. The FMA Conference provides an important opportunity for DCCEEW to interact with a range of council, government and industry representatives. The latest addition to our sponsors is Kingfisher Hydro, which is the Bronze Sponsor for the Welcome Reception. Kingfisher Hydro has over 20 years of industry expertise in flood management and disaster risk reduction, from data collection to emergency response. Thank you to all our supporters who are helping ensure that FMA26 is a Conference to remember! There are just a few sponsorship opportunities remaining! Keynote Speakers - Wednesday: Emeritus Professor Barbara Norman
Design and Built Environment, University
of Canberra - Friday: Jason Needham
HDR Flood Consequences Lead, Davis, California, United States.
Comprehensive
Presentation Program - Developed by a national committee of practicing flood risk managers
- Over 100 presentations covering urban and rural floodplain risk management, emergency response and recovery
- 6 international presenters
- 54 technical poster presentations
- 5 Pre-conference Workshops
- Casual Dinner at Sea World Gold Coast
- Excellence Awards Ceremony at the Gala Conference Dinner.
Don’t miss out,
register for one, two, three or four days! Information and registration at: floodplainconference.com
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FMA OFFICE-BEARER ELECTION RESULTS - A NEW FACE ON THE EXECUTIVE
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The term of the current FMA office-bearers concludes at the end of the Annual General Meeting in April. Nominations for the positions were sought from Members in accordance with the FMA Constitution on 10 March. The following nominations were received: FMA President: Sue Ribbons, Professional Member FMA Deputy
President: Danny Rose, Full Member Tweed Shire Council
FMA Technical Director: Will Prentice, Professional Member
FMA Land Use Planning Director: Paul Grech, Corporate Member GLN Planning FMA Queensland Director: Jess Carey, Corporate Member Queensland Reconstruction Authority FMA Communications Director: Stephanie Kermode, Corporate Member HARC. As there is one nomination for each position those nominees are elected. Ian Dinham remains the Immediate Past President, with the title “Emeritus President”. The elected Office-bearers together with the Immediate Past President and the Executive Officer will comprise the Executive Committee. Executive Officer Glenn Evans acknowledged the lasting contributions to FMA and the Executive Committee made by Catherine Walker as FMA Communications Director since 2024. Ms Walker decided not to re-nominate due to family commitments. “I warmly welcome
Stephanie Kermode to the FMA Executive Committee”, he said. “We have an excellent team with a range of backgrounds and a wealth of expertise to continue FMA’s development and growth over the next two years”.
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PROPOSED NSW NATURAL HAZARDS SEPP - FMA SUBMISSION
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Attendees at the February NSW/ACT Quarterly Meeting were briefed by Melanie Schwecke from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on several planning reforms including the proposed Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). At that meeting FMA Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech announced the
establishment of a working group to provide input to a response to the proposal. Preliminary comments were provided to the Department on 1 and 2 March, and a detailed supplementary submission was provided on 20 March. While commending the Department for preparing the proposed SEPP and guidance, the submission stated that the time period provided to consider the documents and respond was inadequate, and requested additional time for Councils to make submissions. FMA’s response also requested the Department provide a meaningful opportunity to understand and comment on the detail of the provisions of the proposed SEPP once it is prepared. To read the full submission visit www.floods.asn.au/submissions.
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EMERGENCY MESSAGING SYSTEM TO BE TESTED
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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced that a new national emergency messaging service will be in operation by October 2026. The system, known as AusAlert, will allow emergency services organisations and some Australian Government agencies to send targeted warning messages in a specified area. It uses cell-broadcast
technology, which is more efficient than current SMS-based emergency alerts. Community-based trials are expected to take place across urban, regional, and remote areas in all states and territories in June, and a national test will take place at 2:00PM AEST on Monday 27
July. Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the community testing and national test are significant milestones for AusAlert. “The Albanese Government is undertaking these tests to ensure the technology performs as expected, and to build community awareness before AusAlert is needed in an actual emergency. “This is an important
project that will help us and emergency services organisations warn people when they are in harm’s way, saving lives and protecting property during a disaster, delivering on a key finding from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.” More information is at:
https://www.nema.gov.au/our-work/risk-reduction/ausalert
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YFM MONTHLY FEATURE
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The FMA Young Floodplain Managers (YFM) network exists to represent, engage, and inspire young floodplain management professionals across Australia.
The objectives of the YFM are to: - collaborate and share knowledge through networking opportunities, mentorships with industry leaders, professional development workshops and events, and social media platforms and forums where YFMs can discuss key issues and share innovative ideas
- inspire and
empower YFMs to share new ideas and engage in industry discussions
- connect YFMs from across the public and private sectors as well as other young professional groups; and
- promote gender equality and diversity in all YFM activities and the
broader industry.
Any floodplain manager is welcome to apply if committed to the objectives of the YFM. Whilst the YFM's mission is to represent, engage, support and inspire young floodplain management professionals across the nation, anyone who supports this objective is welcome to apply for membership of the YFM and engage in the group's actions,
irrespective of their age or level of experience. Find out more about YFM and upcoming YFM events at the YFM Linkedin page here.
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POSITIONS VACANT
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No current vacancies.
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TRAVELLING CONFERENCE SWAG |
Have you got a photo of your FMA Swag? |
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