Project update

Thank you to everyone who participated in the public exhibition process. On 12 December 2023, Council voted to adopt the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek Flood Study, with the amendment that flood mapping is identified as 'subject to further investigation' at John Parade, Merewether; and Kimbarra Close, Wallace Street and Gregory Parade, Kotara.

Council also endorsed using the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) event in 2050 as the planning flood across the study area, and the removal of the flood affected classification for properties in the study area with 0.01m² or less of probable maximum flood (PMF) extent within their boundary.

For further information and to find out what we heard, read the Submissions Report or the Council Report.

Overview

In 2021, we asked the community to share their experiences of flooding in the local area via an interactive map. With your input, we've developed an updated Flood Study for the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek catchments to provide a better understanding of flood behaviours and flood risks.

Why undertake a Flood Study?

Newcastle is built on a floodplain and is highly prone to flooding. To ensure we are reducing our flood risk now and into the future, we are preparing an updated Flood Study for the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek catchments.

We know these areas have a long history of flooding, with some parts of the study area more likely to flood than other areas, resulting in damage to local properties, risk to life, as well as drainage issues. Many members of our community have been affected by this flooding and have previously shared their flooding experiences.

The purpose of this Flood Study

The purpose of this Flood Study is to:

• Improve our understanding of flood behaviour and risk in the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek catchments using best practice guidelines
• Consider the influence of ocean storms and the impact of climate change
• Improve community flood awareness and readiness
• Inform our response to managing flood risk to improve community resilience to flooding and climate change.

Study area map

The map below shows the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek Flood Study catchment area.

Study flood maps

Flood maps across the study area for a range of large flood events are provided in the links below. The full Draft Flood Study and Executive Summary are available to view or download from the Document Library.

Click on the each of the areas below to view the flood maps for that area.

Thanks for having your say!

To find out more about what we heard, and the outcomes of the engagement, please read the Submissions Report or Council Report.

Next Steps

Further investigations will take place at John Parade, Merewether; and Kimbarra Close, Wallace Street and Gregory Parade, Kotara.

Once we have finalised the Throsby, Styx and Cottage Creek Flood Study we will then prepare a Flood Study for the western half of Newcastle – the Hexham and Woodbury Swamp Flood Study. A Flood Risk Management Study and Plan covering the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA) will then be developed.

We will continue to update the community as the project progresses.

Flood Risk Management Process (NSW Government Flood Risk Management Manual)

The Flood Study is an important step in the Flood Risk Management Process. The Flood Study informs the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan that councils prepare to help manage flood risk, in accordance with NSW Government requirements.

Proudly funded by NSW Government in association with City of Newcastle