The Kangaroo River is a tributary of the Shoalhaven River, on the south coast of New South Wales. The river originates from within the Budderoo National Park, from where it flows across the western escarpment, through the township of Kangaroo Valley, and discharges into Lake Yarrunga. Lake Yarrunga is formed by Tallowa Dam, constructed immediately downstream of the confluence of the Kangaroo River and the Shoalhaven River. The land use of the catchment is predominately forest and pasture, with isolated areas of urban development. The terrain is varied; steep ranges surround the catchment on the northern, eastern and southern sides, formed by the eastern escarpment. In the centre of these ranges are open alluvial flats.

Flooding in the Kangaroo Valley Township can pose a hazard to some residents and properties near creeks and overland flowpaths. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine options for the management of flooding within the Kangaroo Valley catchment. The specific objectives of the FRMS are:

• To undertake effective community consultation and participation throughout the project
• To identify and describe the various potential flood problems and specific future flooding issues
• To assess whether the flood provisions in Council’s existing environmental planning policies and instruments are consistent with each other, the Floodplain Development Manual and the findings of the flood analyses incorporating climate change impacts and sea level rise
• To identify and assess potential management measures for existing developed areas
• To assess the benefits and cost of the potential management measures and whether they might produce adverse effects in the floodplain
• To examine ways in which the creek and floodplain environment may be enhanced by preparing a strategy that will create a valuable corridor of vegetation without having a detrimental effect on flooding
• To identify modifications required to current policies in the light of investigations.
• To assess flood risks to or associated with existing infrastructure and opportunities to manage future infrastructure replacement so as to maximise flood tolerance and mitigation potential.