Minutes of the Extraordinary Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee held on Tuesday 17 March 2020.
PRESENT
Councillor Greg Conkey OAM Wagga Wagga City Council
Councillor Vanessa Keenan Wagga Wagga City Council
Councillor Rod Kendall Wagga Wagga City Council
Jenny Rolfe Community Member
Ros Prangnell Community Member
Patricia Murray Community Member
Brian Mahony Community Member
IN ATTENDANCE
Peter Thompson General Manager
Steve Manwaring Department Planning, Industry & Environment
Peter Ross Manager Technical and Strategy
Darryl Woods Manager Council Businesses
Amir Abbasnia Design Engineer, Sewer & Stormwater
Michael Casey Communications & Engagement Coordinator
Andrew Mason Project Manager
Michael Friend Co-opted Community Member
Fiona Ziff Co-opted Community Member
Erin Askew WMAwater
Nigel Rajaratnam The CIE
Karyn Wong Woolcott
Shannon Coghlan Infrastructure Administration Coordinator (Minute Taker)
APOLOGIES
Caroline Angel Director Commercial Operations
Barry Griffiths NSW State Emergency Service
Craig Ronan NSW State Emergency Service
The meeting of the Extraordinary Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee commenced at 8.35am.
Acknowledgement Of Country
I would like to Acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this Land, on which this meeting takes place and to pay my respects to Elders past and present.
Declarations Of Interest
No declarations of interest received.
At this stage of the meeting with agreement of the Committee, the Chair, Councillor V Keenan amended the Order of Business to bring forward General Business.
general business
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On the Motion of J Rolfe and R Kendall That the Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee: a receive and note this report b receive and note the correspondence with the Office of the Hon. Matthew Kean, Minister for Energy and Environment c recommend that a third party be engaged to undertake a short review of options for North Wagga Wagga in the Floodplain Risk Management Study Plan (FRMSP) to be considered for inclusion in the current feasibility study (2018-19-FM-0071)
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Discussion on the Report
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment representative advised that the Floodplain Management Manual was developed to guide Councils and that it stipulates a process to be followed. There were shortcomings in the 2015 NSW Department of Public Works report. This report did not comply with the Floodplain Management Manual being it was an economic study and not a full study.
Concerns were raised on behalf of North Wagga Wagga residents that the process was flawed and that the findings of the Murrumbidgee River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2018) by WMAwater were flawed.
The Committee and attendees discussed the various study ranges, from 1 in 20 studies, through to 1 in 100.
The Committee discussed what a ‘short’ review of the Floodplain Risk Management Study Plan (FRMSP) – per the Minister’s correspondence – would look like, who ought or might conduct the review, and the timeframe. Acknowledging that the review would not be a reconfiguration of the entire FRMSP. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment representative suggested that Council could apply for funding to incorporate a review.
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On the Motion of R Prangnell and J Rolfe That the committee a receive and note the draft report b note that representatives from WMAwater are attending the meeting to present project updates
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WMAwater made a presentation to the Committee on the progress of the Wagga Wagga Major Overland Flow Study.
Feedback to be provided by members via the Secretariat by the end of the week.
Questions and comments on the presentation and reports
Option LA01 – Lake Albert Enhanced Flow Scheme: Lake Albert Road
Ros Prangnell asked what the consequences would be for a full Lake Albert, if there are back-to-back events.
The Chair specified that early consultation should happen with impacted stakeholders (for example, the Boat Club) prior to public exhibition.
Options LA02/03 – Lake Albert Enhanced Flow Scheme: Crooked Creek, Stringybark Creek, Lake Albert Road
Recommendation to move forward with a Physical Feasibility Study with a high priority.
Option GD03 – Glenfield Drain Scheme: Anderson Oval Basin
The Chair asked for consultation to occur with the Parks team as it relates to Anderson Oval.
Option GD05 – Glenfield Drain Scheme: Flowerdale Lagoon
Council would need to undertake further consultation with the Aboriginal community.
Discussion is also needed around implications for planning and development.
Council staff to follow up and provide advice via email in relation to planning and environment.
CIE and Woolcott Research and Engagement made a presentation to the Committee on the proposed Community and Stakeholder Plan.
Questions and comments on the presentation and reports
· Some of the most affected live outside of the identified villages and are often excluded from consultation.
· Question whether representation across the areas should be proportionate to the population size.
· Committee asked that the draft survey be returned for Committee review, rather than just to Council.
· Discussion around delays to public consultation due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Department Planning, Industry and Environment is aware of extensions to timeframes. Karyn Wong (Woolcott) noted that the costs associated with delays in other engagement projects have been around the recruitment of participants and venue bookings. The preparatory work itself is not date contingent.
· Discussion around opportunity and mechanisms for all individuals to have their voices heard through the various engagement mechanisms
QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
No Questions with Notice were received.
The Extraordinary Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee rose at 1.36pm.