Central Coast Council is working to improve the management of our region’s diverse waterways and advancing flood mitigation efforts in vulnerable locations, with several current and upcoming projects open for community feedback.

Central Coast Council Director Environment and Planning, Luke Nicholls said that through collaboration, Council and the community are, improving our waterways and reducing flood risks together.

“Flood management, water quality and coastal erosion are major priorities for both Council and the community. The geographical nature of our region presents an array of challenges and we’re working proactively to ensure the Central Coast remains a place we can all enjoy,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We have several projects open, or soon to be open, for public comment, and encourage the community to provide feedback. This feedback will guide our approach to improving the management and condition of our waterways, our coastline and reducing flood risks.”

Projects seeking community feedback:

• Draft Flood Policy – Open and on exhibition until 23 September. This policy outlines Council’s legislative requirements in setting a consistent approach to planning for climate change and sea level rise.
• Porters Creek Flood Study – Open and on exhibition until 22 September. This is a review and update to the 2009 Porters Creek Flood Study to better understand flood risks in the Warnervale catchment area. In addition, Tuggerah Lakes Flood Study will also soon be made available for public comment. These studies will help to inform Council’s flood mapping tool which details flood impacts and influences future decision-making for flood mitigation strategies.
• Coastal Lagoons Coastal Management Program - Exhibition period opening soon. A suite of draft actions that will be presented to the community to comment on which actions they feel are best suited for our five lagoons. 

Additional projects and initiatives:

• Draft Open Coast Coastal Management Program – Was recently on exhibition from 14 July until 25 August. This draft program outlines how we will manage 80km of our open coastline.
• Works as part of $4 million Tuggerah Lakes - Urban Rivers and Catchment Program Grant over the next three years to mid-2028 to improve water quality. Works include streambank stabilisation, riparian zone protection, saltmarsh restoration, wetland rehabilitation, litter collection and water sensitive urban design. This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
• Recently installed flood warning signage at Burns Road, Ourimbah to notify motorists that there is water over the road.
  These projects are in addition to Council’s annual program of works which includes water quality monitoring, wrack management, wetland and riparian area management.

Central Coast Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna welcomes Council’s leadership in taking proactive steps toward flood mitigation and effective waterway management.

“My fellow Councillors and I are pleased to see Council prioritising the protection and preservation of our beautiful region through forward-thinking flood mitigation strategies,” Mayor McKinna said.

“I encourage all community members to have their say on current and upcoming projects to ensure their voices are heard and are reflected in our planning.”

Visit yourvoiceourcoast.com to comment on projects currently open for exhibition and sign up to eNews by searching ‘eNews’ at centralcoast.com.au to receive updates and be notified when an exhibition is open for consultation. 

*Amendment included on 9 September to include funding acknowledgment of the Tuggerah Lakes - Urban Rivers and Catchment Program Grant.