| FLYER ISSUE 4: APRIL FLYER
2020
| READ IN BROWSER https://floods.optin.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MzcwMTYwOA==/fma-flyer-4-april.htm
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NEXT FMA MEETING: QLD CHAPTER 5 AUGUST | NSW/ACT CHAPTER 20 AUGUST
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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As our first “virtual” FMA National Conference is approaching, I am excited to see the preparations in place thanks to the hard work of everyone involved and especially those presenters who are willing to deliver their presentations in this format.
COVID-19 has been a shock to the whole world but it is sign of our resilience that we can still go forward. Floods will still occur and we will all need to respond accordingly when those events happen.
The Bureau of Meteorology models are predicting above average rainfall for the months of May and June this year, and time will tell what the results of that will be.
Before the bushfires had completely been brought under control, we’ve already had torrential rain and flash flooding in Sydney and the NSW east coast in February this year. Likewise, the towns of Dalby and Dirranbandi experienced flooding in February, and Tropical Cyclone Uesi was threatening Queensland at one stage.
The message for all of you is to stay safe during this difficult time because your work in floodplain management will continue to be extremely important for all communities.
ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
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FMA DIGITAL CONFERENCE CONVENES 20 - 21 MAY
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The Digital FMA Conference is just three weeks away, and you can now download the Conference Program and Register online at floodplainconference.com.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FMA will be convening an abbreviated version of the 2020 National Conference digitally, made up of two days of livestream presentations (with Q & A sessions) and pre-recorded PowerPoint presentations.
The majority of the original in-person program for Toowoomba has been retained, and you can catch presentations covering the following themes:
• National collaboration and coordination
• Modelling
• Flood prediction and warning
• Land use planning
• Infrastructure projects and asset management
• Flood policy, guidance, best practice, and monetization of floods
• Social and cultural aspects
• Emergency preparedness and management, and recovery
• Flood stories and case studies
• Environmental aspects – climate change, coastal hazards and adaptation
To make this event as accessible as possible, the following fee structure has been established:
FMA Full, Corporate, Associate and Professional Members
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$100 for one login (user)
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FMA Full, Corporate, Associate and Professional Members
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$200 for up to six logins (users)
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FMA Individual and Student Members
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$50 for one login (user)
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Non Members
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$200 for one login (user)
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Non Members
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$300 for up to six logins (users)
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Presenters
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FREE login (no charge).
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This transition would not have been possible without the initiative and enthusiasm of our incredible presenters. You have our gratitude. We also want to acknowledge Members who have gotten in touch with words of encouragement regarding the new online format – your support is deeply appreciated.
We look forward to ‘seeing’ you all on the 20th and 21st May! For more details visit the Conference website floodplainconference.com.
If you have any questions about the upcoming Conference, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by contacting Dominique Jovanovic: projectservices@floods.org.au.
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UPDATED FLOOD GUIDANCE FOR NSW COUNCILS
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As Members would be aware the NSW Department of Planning Infrastructure and Environment has been working to update the 2007 Flood Planning Guideline which no longer aligns with the NSW Government’s approach to flood risk management.
The Department has provided a comprehensive review leading to the recent release of its updated Flood Prone Land Package for public comment. This package provides advice to Councils on considering flooding in land use planning and consists of:
- a proposed amendment to schedule 4, section 7A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000
- a revised planning circular
- a revised local planning direction regarding flooding issued under section 9.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
- revised Local Environmental Plan flood clauses
- a new guideline: Considering Flooding in Land Use Planning (2020).
The Department’s website states “Significant flood events, like those in Brisbane in 2011 and those more recently in NSW show the importance of managing flood risk up to and beyond the 1 in 100 chance per year flood and considering flood risks up to the probable maximum flood level. This will build resilience in communities located on floodplains and reduce the extent of property damage and
potential loss of life from severe to extreme flooding throughout NSW.”
The exhibition package can be accessed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/flooding. The package is on exhibition until 25 June 2020 and submissions can be made during that period. An FMA submission will be prepared over the next few weeks and if Members have specific comments that they wish to pass on for consideration please forward those to Glenn Evans: eo@floods.org.au.
The Department will also be hosting a series of Webinars on the package including one set up specifically for FMA Members on 28 May. We encourage all Members register to attend.
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FMA YOUNG FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS ANNOUNCEMENT
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We are delighted to announce that the Young Floodplain Managers’ Charter has been endorsed by the FMA Executive Committee, and YFM is now a Subcommittee of FMA.
Thank you to YFM Committee Members Catherine Walker, Duncan Howley, Prawi Woods, Joshua Eggleton, Elise Armstrong, Mikayla Ward and Isabelle Testoni, as well as FMA Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech and Project and Services Manager Dominique Jovanovic for your efforts in bringing this about.
Paul Grech said “The YFM have already proven themselves to be a valuable part of FMA by organising networking events and the visit to the UNSW Water Research Laboratory in February. I am very proud to be have been part of the establishment of the YFM and look forward to working with them through the FMA Executive Committee”.
The YFM Charter is at the YFM page of floods.org.au: floods.org.au/yfm
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NEW RESILIENCE AGENCY ANNOUNCED
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced the creation of a new government agency, Resilience NSW, to drive disaster preparedness and recovery. The organisation will be led by former NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many disasters – bushfires, drought, flood and now the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Through Resilience NSW we will re-double our efforts to prevent, prepare and recover from crisis which impact NSW.”
Commissioner Fitzsimmons said “Resilience NSW will lead the whole-of-government prevention, preparedness and recovery effort. It will oversee and coordinate emergency management policy, service delivery and all aspects of disaster recovery at a state, national and international level”.
The Premier’s media release is available at nsw.gov.au/news/rfs-commissioner-fitzsimmons-to-lead-new-resilience-nsw-agency.
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As the FMA National Conference will not be held on-site at Toowoomba this year the FMA Quarterly Meeting and Annual General Meeting scheduled for Thursday 21 May have been postponed. These meetings will be re-scheduled to the next appropriate Quarterly Meeting dates in Brisbane and Sydney, hopefully in August.
Details will be provided closer to the meetings.
A Quarterly Update and financial report will be emailed for the information of Members in May.
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BOM'S WET WEATHER OUTLOOK
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The April NSW Flood Warning Consultative Committee meeting heard that the Winter outlook is favouring wetter conditions for much of Australia.
Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist Agata Imielska advised that there is some early indication of negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) values developing during Winter, and some models are suggesting that La Nina thresholds may be met in late Winter. These indicators generally mean wetter conditions for much of Australia, except for the North East Tropics, Eastern seaboard and parts of
Tasmania.
The take home message is if these conditions do develop there will be a significant shift from conditions over the last few years, so keep an eye out for the Winter weather.
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NEW BOOK 'DISASTER EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT'
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Well known communicator on disaster management and principal of Molino Stewart Neil Dufty, has published a new online book Disaster Education, Communication and Engagement.
This detailed guide to the design and evaluation of effective disaster learning programs is available from Wiley Online Library: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119569817.
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PLANNING FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING
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Carrie Dearnley (BMT) and Shannon Haines (Ethos Urban) will be holding an online training course via Zoom “Planning for Flood Risk Management” on 19th May.
The one-day programme, run through the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) will cover:
• What is 'risk' and what are the factors that contribute to flood risk;
• Fundamentals of flood modelling, recent advances, types of information provided by flood models and how these 'tools' inform flood risk
• Risk response 'toolkit' to flood risk management including the role of land use planning in holistic floodplain management;
• Statutory drivers and best practice standards for responding to flood risk, including how the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry has changed current approaches to how we plan for and determine land use planning responses to flood risk;
• Risk based land use planning - what does it look like, how is it different to current approaches and what are the benefits for strategic planning;
• Moving beyond mapping one single event: why understanding flood behaviour across multiple events is important for land use planning;
• Development of risk-based flood mapping, including consideration of risk factors such as community isolation, flash flooding etc';
• Clear guidance on matching land use with flood risk profile to be 'risk appropriate'; and
• Practical tips on implementing a risk-based approach.
Details are provided at the PIA website:
https://www.planning.org.au/events/event/2020qldplanet-planning-for-flood-risk-management
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We are proud to have been endorsed as an official sub-committee of FMA, and look forward to an exciting and productive partnership.
Head over to the YFM website floods.org.au/yfm to find out more about who we are, what we’re about and how to join!
- The YFM
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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AWMA
Technical Sales Manager - Flood Free
Job Description and Application online at
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Central Coast Council
Development Flooding Engineer
Job Description and Application online at
If you are interested in promoting a vacant position with us, please contact us.
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TRAVELLING CAPS AND BEANIES
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As it's not safe for anyone to travel at the moment, we'd love to see your Work From Home (WFH) cap photos!
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