Southern floodplain management plans

Of the 22 localised floodplain management plans originally prepared under Part 8 of the Water Act 1912, 10 remain in force across New South Wales.

The Natural Resources Commission completed an audit of these floodplain management plans in 2020. A copy of the audit report may be downloaded from the NRC website.

The department also completed a review of the plans under Section 43 of the Water Management Act 2000 in 2021. The review report is now available.

Collection of flood information

The department is seeking flood information which will be used to calibrate the hydraulic models. This information can be emailed through or taken in person to a series of face-to-face sessions in June. Information will be presented at the sessions about the replacement floodplain management plans in the Murray (including the Edward, Wakool, Niemur, Tuppal and Bullatale floodplains), Murrumbidgee, Billabong Creek and Lachlan Valleys.

Our flood modelling teams will be available to accept flood information which will be used to calibrate the hydraulic models that underpin the floodplain management plans.

Find out more and register to attend a session.

Replacement floodplain management plans for the Southern Murray-Darling Basin

Work on the new southern replacement floodplain management plans is in early stages. It is anticipated that this project will be completed over the next 2 to 3 years. Floodplain management plans are based on technical advice from a wide range of government departments and community groups representing agricultural, environmental, First Nations, fisheries and other water interests.

Replacement plans will consider:

  • recommendations from audit and review reports
  • the existing planning arrangements in existing localised Water Act 1912 plans
  • the principles for water management specified in the Water Management Act 2000
  • updated flooding and landscape information
  • feedback from community consultation.

For more information about the proposed replacement plans, download Replacement floodplain management plans for the Southern Murray-Darling Basin (PDF, 444.65 KB).

For more information about the transition of floodplain management planning from the Water Act 1912 to the Water Management Act 2000 in NSW, download Floodplain management under the Water Management Act 2000: A guide to the changes (PDF, 143.12 KB).

Existing approvals granted under Part 8 of the Water Act 1912 (now converted to flood work approvals under the Water Management Act 2000) will continue to be valid. However there are changes to the process for landholders making an application for flood work approvals in the future or amending existing approvals.

The southern Murray-Darling Basin currently has 10 localised floodplain management plans developed under the Water Act 1912 and 2 declared floodplains. The replacement of these plans under the Water Management Act 2000 will be based on a whole-of-valley approach and will include the declaration of floodplains that match the new plan areas:

  • The Lachlan River Valley has 3 localised plans and one declared floodplain which will be replaced with a single floodplain management plan and associated declared floodplain.
  • The Murray River Valley has 5 localised plans which will be replaced with a single floodplain management plan and associated declared floodplain.
  • The Murrumbidgee River Valley has 2 localised plans and one declared floodplain which will be replaced with 2 floodplain management plans and associated declared floodplains.

Existing localised floodplain management plans

Floodplains

Billabong Creek: Walbundrie to Jerilderie

Lachlan River: Gooloogong to Jemalong Gap