| FLYER ISSUE 1: JANUARY
2021
| READ IN BROWSER https://floods.optin.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MzcwMjAwMQ==/fma-flyer-1-january.htm
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NEXT FMA MEETING: COMBINED ONLINE QUARTERLY MEETING 18 FEBRUARY
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Happy New Year to you all! I’m sure we’re all pleased to see the end of 2020.
Some very positive news coming out just before Christmas was the announcement by Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud of the establishment of a $50 million National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Fund to help Australian communities better prepare for extreme weather events and flooding.
The program was established under the Emergency Response Fund and aligns with recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, which FMA contributed to, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, which FMA also contributed to.
This is indeed a very pleasing development.
For years FMA Members have been saying that investment in wise land use planning, best practice flood mitigation infrastructure and community resilience is many times more effective than money spent on flood relief and recovery, but that there is inadequate funding for their implementation.
At this stage the program appears to be a one off, with no certainty about future offers. The funding is only offered to state and territory governments who must provide their applications on 12 February. So thank you to those state and territory personnel who have been working through the New Year to prepare their
bids!
You can read more about the program in the Flyer.
I applaud the government for this initiative and urge the Minister to continue this level of investment into the future so that flood damage costs, insurance premiums and adverse social impacts can all be reduced.
ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
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AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT
- FMA CONFERENCE 2021
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Dear Members and Supporters,
In Australia one can recognise how fortunate we are to have reached a level of somewhat normalcy in our everyday lives – we are now able to see friends and family, easily buy supplies, send our children back to school and even travel interstate.
However, over the past few weeks we have seen how quickly and unpredictably restrictions and lockdowns have come into effect and how profoundly they impact our personal and professional lives, and those of our extended communities. Changing government public health limitations and employer restrictions on professional travel make it difficult to commit to almost
anything.
Regretfully, this uncertainty makes it almost impossible for FMA to comfortably deliver our 2021 FMA National Conference in its much-loved format, which is due to take place in 16 weeks.
FMA Members who have been with our network for some time will be aware of the level of confident forward planning necessary for an FMA Conference to be held to the standard which is expected of us. Our Executive Committee, Conference Organisers, Program Advisory Committee and Steering Committee begin the process at least 18 months out from the event
date.
The FMA Executive has considered all options, but we have concluded that when, taking planning timelines into account, and to provide the best and safest experience for our Members and supporters, the onsite Conference at Luna Park Sydney should be re-scheduled to May 2023.
This will allow all our usual Australian and overseas participants to enjoy the magnificent Luna Park venue, certainly something to look forward to! This venue is unlike any other, and promises a truly unforgettable FMA experience.
FMA has always been committed to providing the annual conference and we are now putting all our energy into delivering a first rate comprehensive Online FMA National Conference from 25 to 28 May 2021.
For those of you who attended the 2020 Online FMA Conference, you can be assured that this year will be even more accessible, more informative and packed full of unmissable, innovative presentations.
We have received 118 abstract proposals, which will ensure a full program in the new multi-stream format. Registration details, sponsorship arrangements and virtual exhibition booths opportunities will be advised very soon.
I wish to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of uncertainty, and look forward to 'seeing' you in May.
Regards,
Ian Dinham
FMA President
If you have any questions about the changes to the upcoming FMA Conference, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. You can do that by emailing projectservices@floods.org.au.
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NEW AUSTRALIA WARNING SYSTEM
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The federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud has announced a new Australian Warning System which for the first time provides a national approach to warnings for hazards including flood, bushfire, storm, cyclone, extreme heat and severe weather.
The new system delivers on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.
The system uses a nationally consistent set of icons to show incidents on websites and apps, supported by calls to action. The three warning levels are:
- Advice (Yellow)
An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
- Watch and Act (Orange)
There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.
- Emergency Warning (Red)
An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.
“Now that summer has started and the disaster season is upon us, this new system will make it easier for people to recognise and understand emergency warnings wherever they are in Australia,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The new warnings have come into effect for bushfires in all jurisdictions except for Western Australia, which will adopt it in the near future.
“Warnings for other hazards such as floods, cyclones and heatwaves will be phased in over time.”
Further information on the Australian Warning System can be found at the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience website.
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NEW NATIONAL FLOOD MITIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
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The Australian Government has recently announced the establishment of a $50 million National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program to help Australian communities better prepare for extreme weather events and flooding.
The program has been established under the Emergency Response Fund and aligns with recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, and findings of the State of the Climate Report 2020.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the funding initiative will support state, territory and local governments to improve or construct essential public infrastructure to better withstand severe flood events.
Minister Littleproud said “We need to adjust our approach from focusing on our emergency services responding to major flood events, to all sectors of the community, including all levels of government, helping prevent and mitigate disasters”.
Emergency Management Australia, within the Department of Home Affairs, will lead the delivery of the program, bringing together emergency management and infrastructure experts from across the Australian Government.
Program guidelines advise “Only a state or territory government may apply for program funding. However, a state or territory government may use a third party to deliver the projects on its behalf including….. through funding a local government.”
“A co-contribution from state or territory governments and/or other appropriate funding partners is desirable but not essential”.
Applications close on 12 February 2021.
FMA President Ian Dinham said this type of investment in flood mitigation is exactly what all of us at FMA have been calling for over many years.
The Minister’s media release is at: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidlittleproud/Pages/50-million-national-flood-infrastructure-initiative-building-on-resilience.aspx
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The latest offering in the FMA Webinar Series is from Zita Dore of BMT, with her presentation titled Toowoomba's Evolution in Flood Modelling and Floodplain Management. Ms Dore's webinar will be available until Thursday 11 February.
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About the Webinar Series:
Every two weeks, FMA will be releasing a popular presentation from the National Conference exclusively for FMA Members.
You will need to register for access to the Members' Section, if you have not already. You can do this easily by contacting Dominique Jovanovic at projectservices@floods.org.au, who will create an account for you.
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FMA would like to welcome the following organisations to our national network of flood professionals:
Meridian Urban
Meridian Urban is a leading Australian planning, resilience and adaptation advisory firm, providing integrated urban planning, risk management and resilience service to assist government and professional organisations achieve their land use planning and disaster resilience goals.
Meridian Urban’s team continues to work with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority on the delivery and implementation of Resilient Queensland 2018-2021 including first-of-their-kind regional resilience strategies (multi hazard including flood) across the state.
Visit www.meridianurban.com for more information.
Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR)
KBR regularly undertakes technical hydrologic and hydraulic modelling assessment to inform sound floodplain risk management. Clients include Local Government (flood studies, floodplain risk management studies, floodplain mapping, and local road, drainage and flood mitigation infrastructure design projects), state government (major infrastructure projects) and private sector (assisting civil consultancies, developers and planners with flood impact and risk
assessments for new developments).
KBR is also actively committed to furthering the reach of FMA to the next generation of floodplain managers, with both Josh Eggleton (NSW) and Sarah Hollis (VIC) currently Young Floodplain Manager committee members.
Find out more at kbr.com.
If you are interested in joining Floodplain Management Australia, head to floods.org.au/membership.
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SKILL SET AND DIPLOMA IN HYDROMETRIC MONITORING
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FMA and the Australian Hydrographers Association (AHA) have a signed agreement that gives FMA Members access to AHA services and information.
AHA is excited to announce that enrolments are now open for the Diploma of Water Industry Operations (Hydrometric Operations) which includes the Hydrography Basics Skill Set.
These courses are managed and taught by AHA in conjunction with Timber Training Creswick (TTC) who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deliver the training with AHA.
In the first semester three Industry Subjects are offered:
- Industry Subject Gaugings
- Industry Subject Hydrometric Site Operations
- Industry Subject Water Quality Monitoring
On completion TTC will award the Hydrography Basics Skill Set. The three Units count as credit for the Diploma.
Over the following three semesters study another seven Units of Competency to complete the Diploma.
For details see: aha.net.au/training/skill-set-and-diploma/
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IRRIGATION/FLOOD RESEARCH IN THE PUNJAB
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FMA has received a request for assistance from an overseas colleague who is a PhD scholar at Charles Sturt University.
This person is employed at the Government of the Punjab Irrigation Research Institute in Pakistan, and his research topic relates to managed aquifer recharge using flood water.
He states: “In Pakistan, we have plenty of water during the months of monsoon (June-July-August). Most of it goes to sea due to shortage of storage. At the same time, being an irrigated agricultural country, groundwater in Punjab province is depleting alarmingly (1 meter per year at some places). We have observed the evidence of floods (2010 and 2014 floods) in Punjab province that the
water table came up about 0.1 to 0.5 meters after the floods.
“For my PhD project, we have constructed about 140 recharge wells in the bed of an old canal to recharge (with) the floodwater. I am worried about the challenges of quality and sedimentation of floodwater.”
He has asked to be put in contact with “prominent experts in this field” to discuss this project.
If you can assist, or know of anyone who may, please contact Glenn Evans: eo@floods.org.au
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After a exceptional inaugural year, the Young Floodplain Managers network is very excited to see what 2021 will bring.
YFM Committees in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are hard at work preparing COVID-safe networking opportunities for Members (be they online or in person), webinar trainings and opportunities for YFM to be represented at the upcoming FMA National Conference.
We always welcome new Members, so if you are yet to join the network, visit floods.org.au/yfm to find out more about us! We'd love to hear from you!
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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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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Do you have an FMA Cap or Beanie photo you'd like to share with Flyer readers?
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