Floodplain management plan program
Floodplain management plans are being prepared for rural floodplains as part of the transition of water management from the provisions of the Water Act 1912 to the provisions of the Water Management Act 2000.
Floodplain management plans provide the framework for coordinating the development of flood works on a whole-of-valley basis.
The first floodplain management plans to be prepared under the Water Management Act 2000 are for the five valleys of the Murray-Darling Basin in northern New South Wales: the Gwydir, Namoi (Upper and Lower), Barwon-Darling, Macquarie and Border Rivers.
The Floodplain Management Plan for the Gwydir Valley Floodplain 2016 and Floodplain Management Plan for the Barwon-Darling Floodplain 2017 have commenced.
Floodplain management plans are being prepared as part of the implementation of the NSW Healthy Floodplains Project, which commenced in 2013 to reform the management of water on floodplains through the preparation of floodplain management plans and the work to licence the take of floodplain harvesting water.
Floodplain management planning process
Independent review
The preparation of floodplain management plans is overseen by an Interagency Regional Panel comprising membership from the Department of Primary Industries (Agriculture and Fisheries interests), NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, and NSW Department of Industry.
The Interagency Regional Panel reviews the preparation of floodplain management plans at key stages;
- prior to targeted consultation,
- prior to public exhibition, and
- prior to the preparation of floodplain management plans for commencement.
All feedback from consultation processes for the preparation of floodplain management plans is reviewed by the Interagency Regional Panel prior to updating the plan.
The preparation of floodplain management plans is overseen by an Interagency Regional Panel comprising membership from the Department of Primary Industries (Agriculture and Fisheries interests), NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, and NSW Department of Industry.
The Interagency Regional Panel reviews the preparation of floodplain management plans at key stages;
- prior to targeted consultation,
- prior to public exhibition, and
- prior to the preparation of floodplain management plans for commencement.
All feedback from consultation processes for the preparation of floodplain management plans is reviewed by the Interagency Regional Panel prior to updating the plan.
How plans are prepared
The preparation of floodplain management plans is a partnered approach between NSW Department of Industry and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage is responsible for the preparation of the technical content of floodplain management plans.
NSW Department of Industry is responsible for coordinating the review and consultation process for the preparation of floodplain management plans, and for writing the Order (legal plan).
Floodplain management plans are Minister’s plans; they require the endorsement of the Minister for Regional Water and concurrence of the Minister for the Environment prior to commencement.
The preparation of floodplain management plans is a partnered approach between NSW Department of Industry and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage is responsible for the preparation of the technical content of floodplain management plans.
NSW Department of Industry is responsible for coordinating the review and consultation process for the preparation of floodplain management plans, and for writing the Order (legal plan).
Floodplain management plans are Minister’s plans; they require the endorsement of the Minister for Regional Water and concurrence of the Minister for the Environment prior to commencement.
Community consultation
Community input into the preparation of floodplain management plans is critical to ensuring that each plan deals with local issues in a practical way.
Early in the process for preparing floodplain management plans the department road tests the key concepts with key stakeholders during targeted (informal) consultation.
Feedback received from targeted consultation is considered by the Interagency Regional Panel in preparing floodplain management plans for public exhibition.
Floodplain management plans are advertised and placed on public exhibition for a minimum period of 40 days. Public exhibition of floodplain management plans is open to all stakeholders and includes a formal submissions process.
Feedback from submissions received during public exhibition is considered by the Interagency Regional Panel in preparing floodplain management plans for commencement.
Community input into the preparation of floodplain management plans is critical to ensuring that each plan deals with local issues in a practical way.
Early in the process for preparing floodplain management plans the department road tests the key concepts with key stakeholders during targeted (informal) consultation.
Feedback received from targeted consultation is considered by the Interagency Regional Panel in preparing floodplain management plans for public exhibition.
Floodplain management plans are advertised and placed on public exhibition for a minimum period of 40 days. Public exhibition of floodplain management plans is open to all stakeholders and includes a formal submissions process.
Feedback from submissions received during public exhibition is considered by the Interagency Regional Panel in preparing floodplain management plans for commencement.
Progress update
Floodplain valley Status Commencement date Gwydir Valley Commenced August 2016 Barwon-Darling Commenced June 2017 Border Rivers Valley Public exhibition complete June 2019 Upper Namoi Valley Public exhibition complete April 2019 Lower Namoi Valley Public exhibition complete June 2019 Macquarie Valley Public exhibition July - September 2018 December 2019
| Floodplain valley | Status | Commencement date |
|---|---|---|
| Gwydir Valley | Commenced | August 2016 |
| Barwon-Darling | Commenced | June 2017 |
| Border Rivers Valley | Public exhibition complete | June 2019 |
| Upper Namoi Valley | Public exhibition complete | April 2019 |
| Lower Namoi Valley | Public exhibition complete | June 2019 |
| Macquarie Valley | Public exhibition July - September 2018 | December 2019 |
Supporting documents
- Floodplain management under the Water Management Act 2000: A guide to the changes
A guide to the transition of floodplain management planning from the Water Act 1912 to the Water Management Act 2000 in NSW. - An overview of floodplain management plans under the Water Management Act 2000
A general, plain English explanation of the key provisions of floodplain management plans. - Draft rural floodplain management plans: Technical manual
A general description of the method employed for the preparation of floodplain management plans under the Water Management Act 2000.
- Floodplain management under the Water Management Act 2000: A guide to the changes
A guide to the transition of floodplain management planning from the Water Act 1912 to the Water Management Act 2000 in NSW. - An overview of floodplain management plans under the Water Management Act 2000
A general, plain English explanation of the key provisions of floodplain management plans. - Draft rural floodplain management plans: Technical manual
A general description of the method employed for the preparation of floodplain management plans under the Water Management Act 2000.
Acknowledgement
Floodplain management plans are being prepared under the NSW Healthy Floodplains Project which is funded by the Australian Government’s Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program as part of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in NSW.
Floodplain management plans are being prepared under the NSW Healthy Floodplains Project which is funded by the Australian Government’s Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program as part of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in NSW.
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Barwon-Darling valley floodplain
The floodplain management plan includes management zones, rules and assessment criteria for granting or amending approvals for flood works.
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Border Rivers valley floodplain
The draft floodplain management plan includes management zones, rules and assessment criteria for granting or amending approvals for flood works.
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Gwydir valley floodplain
The floodplain management plan includes management zones, rules and assessment criteria for granting or amending approvals for flood works.
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Lower Namoi valley floodplain
The draft floodplain management plan includes management zones, rules and assessment criteria for granting or amending approvals for flood works.
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Macquarie valley floodplain
The draft floodplain management plan includes management zones, rules and assessment criteria for granting or amending approvals for flood works.
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Upper Namoi valley floodplain
The draft floodplain management plan includes management zones, rules and assessment criteria for granting or amending approvals for flood works.
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Historical floodplain management plans
A listing by area of all rural floodplain management plans in NSW.