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NEXT FMA MEETINGS FMA Queensland Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, 18 November 2015 in Brisbane.
FMA November Quarterly
Meeting on Thursday, 26 November 2015 in Sydney.
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Meeting with Justice Minister
Keenan |
FMA President Ian Dinham and Executive Officer Glenn Evans met with Federal Justice Minister the Hon. Michael Keenan and his Chief of Staff Pete Soros in Canberra on 14 October. Issues covered included recommendations of the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Natural Disaster Funding and the Government’s response.
Mr Dinham emphasised FMA’s view that
more investment needs to be made in disaster prevention while not unreasonably reducing the assistance Councils need for flood recovery.
Mr Dinham said there is a significant backlog of worthwhile flood mitigation projects nationwide, and with only 15% of New South Wales projects being funded.
“Minister Keenan acknowledges the financial challenges faced by many flood mitigation authorities, and we discussed ways of transitioning funding from the
present emphasis on recovery to flood prevention and preparation. While further negotiations are to be held between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories, I am optimistic that improved and streamlined funding arrangements are achievable” Mr Dinham said. |
Information Session with NSW Department of Planning and Environment |
On 19 October, FMA Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech led an information session on floodplain risk management and planning issues at the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. Allan Gear and Grantley Smith also kindly attended to provide technical backup.
The session was convened by Alex O'Mara, who has recently been appointed as the Department's Executive Director -
Resources and Industry Policy and attended by about 25 staff.
The point of the presentation was to introduce FMA, discuss the FRM – planning system inter-relationship from a floodplain mangers perspective, outline issues and challenges and discuss some ideas about how planning can better deal with FRM.
The discussion that flowed suggested there was some recognition of the need to address: - The way flooding
is mapped for planning purposes.
- The continued application of the 2007 Flood Planning Guideline.
- Inconsistencies with how the DPE advises local council’s on LEP maps and clauses.
- Transitioning from a singular FPL to a more holistic risk management approach.
The information session is a start to fostering better communication and understanding
between those involved in floodplain risk management and planning at a state level. |
NSW Labor Flood Roundtable |
On 18 September 2015, FMA Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech participated in a forum at Parliament House Sydney to discuss flood risk management issues in NSW. The event was convened by Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Mr Guy Zangari, MP, and included representatives from Local Government, charitable organisations, insurance companies and consultants.
The “roundtable”
discussion covered legislative framework, public education, climate change policy, financial and technical support and data sharing. |
Welcome New Member Comtec Industries |
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FMA would like to welcome Comtec Industries into our Membership. Comtec Industries (CI) develops, produces and markets Composite Sheet Pile Systems. Comtec’s aim is to extract value from the creative understanding of what is already known. The Group’s chosen market is working on enhanced protection systems due to the impact from climate
change. |
2016 FMA Conference Update |
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Abstracts for the 2016 FMA Conference in Nowra closed on 30 October. We received a high number of abstracts of an extremely high standard, and the Steering Committee will be working through each of these submissions in the coming weeks.
Papers will cover topics including; - Community
- Flood
Recovery
- Disaster planning and emergency response
- Flood forecasting and warning
- Land use planning and legislative issues
- Identifying flood risk, modelling and tools
- Environment, climate change, sea level rise
- Structural mitigation works and
asset management
- Flood resilient urban design and building design
- State and National solutions and coordination
Conference Registrations Now Open
Pre-Conference Workshops The Pre-Conference Workshops are back in
2016, with a special afternoon session designed for Councillors and people new to flood risk management. - Afternoon Workshop 2: Floodplain Risk Management 101
I want to get to know the basics of flood risk management and what all those terms mean quickly – can someone help before the conference starts?
Other workshops
are: - Morning Workshop 1: Data Sharing Projects
What data do end users need and how can we improve availability?
- Morning Workshop 2: Developing a Business Case for Flood Mitigation Works a Sharing Project
We have assessed our management options and
made a decision. How do we build a strong business case for getting funding within our organisation and from funding programs?
- Afternoon Workshop 1: Australian Rainfall and Runoff
AR&R has been updated. What do we do now?
The Workshops will be offered on Tuesday 17 May.
Field
Trips Two field trips will be offered on Wednesday 18 May. The two field trips will be the same except that one will be run from the River and the other from Land. The field trips will look at Council's current entrance management plan for the Shoalhaven River, the management of Council's flood mitigation structures in the Shoalhaven River floodplain (such as levees), and the benefit of Council’s Flood Alert network (water level and rainfall gauges connected to the
Bureau of Meteorology enviromon system).
Sponsors/Exhibitors |
Holland Water Challenge Update |
This month four young talented Australians – winners of this year’s Australia-Netherlands Water Challenge – arrived in the Netherlands to start a three-week intensive traineeship.
FMA Members may remember these
students from the Grand Final that took place during our Brisbane Conference this year. This program offers an exciting opportunity for them to learn about the Dutch water sector and contribute their own ideas from an Australian perspective.
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Upcoming November FMA Meetings |
The FMA Queensland Chapter Meeting and FMA Quarterly Meeting are coming up in November:
- Queensland Chapter Meeting and Workshop – BRISBANE Wednesday 18 November
- November Quarterly Meeting and Workshop – SYDNEY Thursday 26 November
Details of the Meetings such as venue and workshop topic will be circulated closer to the date along with the Business Papers. |
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POSITIONS VACANT
Floodplain Risk Management Project Engineer - Campbelltown City Council
Campbelltown City Council is seeking a Floodplain Risk Management Project Engineer to manage the FRM delivery for the Bow Bowing Bunbury Curran Creek Catchment.
Flood Studies for the 90km2 catchment have been completed and consultants engaged to prepare the FRMSP. This contract position will be responsible for the day to day management of the FRM process and will also undertake designs for possible works to alleviate flooding.
For more information please contact Sue Lambert on (02) 4645 4638.
Floodplain and Stormwater Unit Leader – Wollongong City Council Wollongong City Council is seeking an experienced
Floodplain & Stormwater management professional to fill a pivotal leadership role in the management of the floodplain and stormwater unit.
The position has a
specific focus on the research, development, presentation, education and implementation of long term floodplain management strategies and on the planning of stormwater management programs and strategies. This position also provides ongoing strategic advice to Executive Management and Council and provides leadership to promote a professional, high-functioning and collaborative culture within the unit.
For further information please visit www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/jobs access the
Information Package and apply online. Alternatively you may contact Peter Nunn on (02) 4227 7111.
Applications close at 5pm on Monday 16 November
2015.
As a service to
our Members we welcome information on career opportunities in the area of floodplain management.
If you are interested in promoting a vacant position with us,
contact us. GRADUATES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT The FMA is occasionally contacted by young professional in fields related to flood risk management seeking introductions to potential employers.
If your business is seeking a new employee please contact us, we may know of someone suitable.
FMA CAPS AROUND THE WORLD Where has your FMA Conference Cap been? |
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Pictured: FMA Deputy President, Larry Bolitho AOM, spotted wearing his FMA Cap at Niagra Falls.
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Thanks for reading, and see you next month! P.S. HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR OUR 2016 CONFERENCE? |
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