Harden Shire Council has commissioned WMAwater Pty Ltd to undertake a Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for the village which will be part of the new Harden Shire Council Local Environment Plan (LEP).

This is the first study to be done on floods in Jugiong with the last major floods recorded in Jugiong in 1925 and 1974.

The study is being overseen by a Floodplain Risk Management Committee with members of the committee coming from council, state agencies, the State Emergency Service (SES) and the local community.

Funding for the study comes from council and the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW).

WMAwater are Sydney based hydrological consultants specifically focused on doing work within the flood planning process.

The study will include the collection of all available data and information on flooding in Jugiong, defining the communities existing flood risk exposure and assessing opportunities to manage this risk.

Ultimately the Jugiong Floodplain Risk Management Plan will be developed and will describe the management measures to be implemented by council.

During the initial phase of the project, WMAwater are seeking feedback from the local community and from long term residents who may have witnessed previous floods.

“We are seeking community knowledge on what has happened in the past,” council’s floodplain management co-ordinator Sharon Langman said.

“What we are doing is planning for the worst case scenario so we need all the information

possible.

“The information will help SES and rescue operations in the event of an evacuation.”

A public meeting is planned to coincide with a meeting of the Jugiong Advancement Group on August 10 and at that meeting residents will have a chance to view information which defines the flood risk and to discuss possible management strategies.

A draft report will be placed on public exhibition by council later this year and it is expected that the study will be completed by early next year.

Anyone requiring further information in regard to the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan can contact, Sharon Langman on 6386 0100, or email sharon.langman@harden.nsw.gov.au