Council calls for local knowledge as part of Nattai Ponds flood studies
Wingecarribee Shire Council is calling on residents living near Nattai Ponds to provide information on flooding “trouble spots” as part of a major study designed to help better prepare for future flood events.
Flooding causes over $300 million worth of damage each year across the nation and historically causes more damage annually than any other natural disasters in Australia.
Council is currently preparing major flood and floodplain risk management studies across some of the Shire’s key catchment areas in an effort to better plan, predict and manage the risk of flooding across our Shire.
The studies will form part of Council’s Floodplain Risk Management Program which aims to reduce the impact of flooding on the community.
The Nattai Ponds Flood Study will focus attention on the Nattai Ponds catchment, which covers an area approximately 7.7km² and includes the areas of Renwick, Willow Vale and Braemar.
As part of the study, computer models will be used to simulate flood behaviour across the catchment.
For the study to be as reliable as possible, Council is asking residents to submit any historical information they may have collected from past floods. This could include written data or historical photographs and videos. This information will then be used to help assist in calibrating computer models.
Alternatively, a questionnaire can be completed online at the dedicated website, www.nattaiponds.floodstudy.com.au. Responses close on the 14 August 2015.
For further information about the Nattai Ponds Flood Study or to fill out an online questionnaire visit: www.nattaiponds.floodstudy.com.au, or contact Council’s Floodplain and Stormwater Engineer on phone 4868 0798, via email at: sha.prodhan@wsc.nsw.gov.au, or Council’s consultant, David Tetley from Catchment Simulation Solutions on phone (02) 9223 0882, via email at: dtetley@csse.com.au.