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

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.

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.

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!

Proudly funded by NSW Government in association with City of Newcastle