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BROWSER https://floods.optin.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MzcwMDM5Ng==/fma-flyer-12-december.htm |
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT |
As I mentioned last month, 2017 has been a huge year for flooding around the world and here in Australia. Once again the cost will be $billions and the heartache on-going for many people.
When I see the work being done in all states and territories it is
enormous. But it needs to be.
Groups such as the National Flood Risk Advisory Group (NFRAG) and the various state Flood Warning Consultative Committees are tackling a long list of very worthwhile projects all aimed at improving floodplain management nationally.
All of you
have plenty of things to work with in 2018 and there will no doubt be some extra challenges to contend with.
I wish all of you a happy and safe festive season and I look forward to continuing to share our knowledge and expertise through our great FMA network in 2018.
Best
Wishes, ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
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HAVE YOU READ THIS NY TIMES ARTICLE YET? |
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An interesting article 'Builders Said Their Homes Were Out of a Flood Zone. Then Harvey Came' appeared in the New York Times on 2 December raising all manner of floodplain development issues in the USA – the federal flood insurance program, floodplain definition, mapping, mitigation, flood standards, cumulative impact, climate change, community awareness, and
land use planning.
The article tells of the plight of home owners at The Woodlands, a “model master-planned community” north of Houston, Texas, whose properties were flooded as a result of Hurricane Harvey despite being outside the official floodplain.
The article says “What happened in The
Woodlands underscored one of the great lessons of Harvey’s assault on Houston: the profound vulnerability of a metropolis with an ethos of untrammeled development built, essentially, on a swamp.”
Couldn’t happen in Australia…..could it??
If an intriguing article about FRM catches your eye, and you would like to share it, contact us now and let us know. |
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Thank you to all FMA Members who have made their Membership payments for the 2017-2018 year. Membership fees are FMA’s main source of operating income so prompt payment is greatly appreciated.
FMA Membership now includes over 140 Councils, local flood authorities,
agencies, consultants, businesses and individuals from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, ACT and South Australia.
Membership is available to organisations and individuals involved in or with an interest in flood risk management.
Your Membership helps us to continue to undertake important
activities, such as professional development and education opportunities, and represent your interests in the responsible management and development of Australia’s floodplains, and ensure a high-level national conference annually. It also provides access to a valuable network of practitioners with similar interests and responsibilities in floodplain management.
If you know of an
organisation or individual who may benefit from becoming a Member please refer them to the FMA website - floods.org.au.
Also, if you are unsure of your Membership payment status, contact us.
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FMA CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN |
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Online registration for the FMA National Conference at Gold Coast in May next year is now open, with early registration discounts offered until 23 March.
Waterways of Success: Developing Flood Resilience in Our Communities will focus on Australian and international
achievements in flood risk management, with practical examples from Gold Coast’s network of waterways, rivers, creeks, lakes, canals and coastlines.
The Gold Coast is home to 57 kilometres of sand and surf, 100,000 hectares of World Heritage-listed rainforest, over 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 260 navigable waterways within the City (which is nine times more waterways than Venice!)
The Conference will be held at the internationally-renowned Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is ideally located just 500 metres from the white sands of Broadbeach.
With a near record number of abstracts submitted you can be assured of an informative, exciting program with
exceptional presenters and keynote speakers.
Register online today to ensure you don’t miss out.
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BLACKJACK CREEK FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT |
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FMA Member Gunnedah Shire Council has commenced significant flood mitigation works to improve the resilience of its East Gunnedah community.
The $3.2 million Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation Project will reduce the impact of flooding from Blackjack Creek to properties and residences in the Wandobah Road area.
Blackjack Creek is an
ephemeral stream with a relatively small catchment covering an area of 24km2.
The headwaters are quite steep, with flash flooding peaking 3-4 hours after the commencement of heavy rainfall.
Major storms in January 1984 and November 2008 are reported to have caused surging of the creek, resulting in flooding extending into the residential area.
The project is a recommendation of the
Blackjack Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2010, and it aims to ensure one-in-100-year flood events are contained, and surrounding properties and residences are protected.
The project involves the creation of channel banks and deepening, widening, and realignment of 1.9 kilometres of the Creek to
increase capacity and contain floods. Staged revegetation with approximately 500 trees will create a potential koala corridor.
Some Members will recall the very successful, if rather muddy, FMA Conference held in Gunnedah in 2007.
By the way, if you have the papers from this conference we would love to put them on the website – please contact Dominique Jovanovic at: projectservices@floods.org.au
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COASTAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AT SCU |
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With strong population growth and significant changes in hydrology predicted for the coastal margin of Australia, there is an increasing demand for engineers with expertise in managing coastal and floodplain hydrology.
Southern Cross University’s (SCU) new Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Coastal Systems Engineering is one of just a few specialist undergraduate professional engineering degrees in Australia to train industry-ready graduates for work in water engineering, coastal engineering and catchment management.
This four year full-time course, offered at the university’s Lismore campus, addresses an increasing need for engineering expertise in these fields that is currently only available through on-the-job training and/or postgraduate qualifications.
Students will focus on core areas that include coastal engineering and
management, floodplain engineering and management, project management, hydraulic engineering, water and wastewater engineering, engineering geochemistry and hydrology.
Students can choose to major in Coastal Geochemistry, Coastal Zone Management, or Infrastructure Design and Management, or they can choose to take a general course of study with
no major.
The course is strongly focused on project engineering from first year through to the final year, and also addresses fundamental concepts that cross all disciplines including professional ethics, sustainability, conflict resolution and negotiation.
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FMA FUTURE DIRECTIONS SURVEY |
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During the most recent FMA Meetings, the Executive asked Members to complete a Future Directions Survey regarding Floodplain Management Australia.
This survey results are very helpful in guiding development of our 2018 Operating Plan to ensure it is aligned with
Members’ best interests, requirements and recommendations. We want to ensure that we are providing you with exactly what you need to help make your communities safer.
Thank you to all who have completed and returned their survey, and for those that have not yet sent it through, it’s not too late! Please contact us and do so now. |
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Dear FMA Flyer Reader,
From all of us at FMA, we wish you and your
families Happy Holidays and a very festive New Year. Thank you for your hard work and time this year,
and for helping us make FMA a stronger national voice for Australian FRM.
Your professional skill, ingenuity and good humour are the backbone of this organisation; we could not do this important work without you. 2018 will hold exciting new ventures for us all, and we hope to see you again at our Meetings and events. Wishing you all the best. FMA. |
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS |
FMA Queensland Chapter Meeting, 14 February, Brisbane
FMA NSW/ACT Chapter Meeting, 22 February, Sydney
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Senior Project Officer
(Floodplain Management)
Office of Environment and Heritage
New South Wales
For position information and application details visit the job website.
Do you have a job vacancy that you would like to advertise?
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Pictured: Pablo the dog visiting Santa at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home charity event this month (photo courtesy of Nicole Webb (aka Santa) of Stephen Webb & Associates.) Where has your cap been? Send us your photos. |
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