Draft plan for managing flood risk on Peninsula on exhibition

A draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for the Woy Woy Peninsula is now on public exhibition, with submissions invited until Wednesday, February 15.

The plan considers several flood risk management options to reduce risk to life and damage to property.

The options, identified in consultation with the Woy Woy Peninsula community in the first round of consultation held in March 2021, have been assessed against a range of criteria: economic, environmental and social.

The best options form the recommendations and strategic program presented in the draft plan and include such measures as increasing the number of flood warning signs, drainage improvements, improvements to flood warning systems, flood risk education programs and a review of flood evacuation centre locations.

Central Coast Councill Director Environment and Planning Alice Howe said the community has already played an integral role in shaping many exciting projects, plans and strategies to benefit and enhance Woy Woy.

“Community feedback has and will continue to play a vital role in helping shape the future of not just Woy Woy, but the entire Central Coast,” Howe said.

“The exhibition of the draft Woy Woy Peninsula Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan is the next step in securing the future of the area, with the focus on benefits for people and the environment of reducing flood risk.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said Council is committed to delivering services and infrastructure that secure and support Woy Woy’s identity as an important economic centre for the Central Coast, and which reflect the needs of the community both now and into the future.

“The Woy Woy Peninsula Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan is also key in creating a safe and sustainable environment for the community to live, work and play in,” he said.

Hart said all comments and submissions received during the exhibition period will be analysed and where relevant, incorporated into the final study and plan which will be considered for adoption by Council later this year.

The final plan will serve to inform relevant government information systems, government and strategic decision makers on flood risk and flood risk and emergency management planning for existing and future development.

The draft plan examines: variation in flood behaviour, flood function, flood hazard; impacts and costs for a range of flood events or risks on the existing and future community; the impacts of changes in climate on flood risk; the emergency response situation and limitations; the effectiveness of current management measures; and options to mitigate flooding impacts.

It looks at factors which contribute to flood risk including storms, drainage, climate change, tidal inundation and rainfall.

In the 2021 questionnaire, most respondents largely attributed flooding problems to the deficiencies in the drainage systems, particularly poor maintenance, insufficient capacity and lack of kerb and guttering on roads.

The draft study and plan and supporting documents can be viewed at yourvoiceourcoast. com/woy-woy-floodplain or at Woy Woy Library.

There will be a drop-in session from 4-6.30pm on Wednesday, February 1, at the Country Women’s Association Hall in Woy Woy.

Residents can also book a call-back with a project officer to discuss project information and make a comment on the plan.

Lance Witham grew up climbing over coffee sacks and tea chests and now, as the owner of Witham’s Coffee at Hornsby, is looking to expand his sales market on the Central Coast.

The specialty coffee roasting company is passionate about delivering the finest quality, freshly roasted coffee direct to cafes and private householders.

“I was born on my parents’ coffee farm in Zimbabwe and was immersed in the coffee business from a very young age,” Witham said.

“When my family lost its farm in a hailstorm, we moved to