The central business district (CBD) of Kempsey is sited on a natural overbank flow path of the Macleay River and is prone to severe flooding during floods in the order of the 10% AEP (1 in 10 year event). A significant portion of the existing CBD is currently zoned as floodway and consequently, the scope for further development is limited based on existing flood information. The overall Macleay River catchment covers an area of approximately 11,500 square kilometres, the upper reaches of which are located within the New England tablelands. The catchment generally drains to the east where a significant portion of the middle catchment is dominated by rugged gorge country. The Macleay River emerges from this region around 35km upstream of Kempsey. Beyond Kempsey, the floodplain broadens as the lower Macleay River meanders towards the coast. The primary objectives of this flood study are to:

• determine existing flood behaviour in the urban areas of Kempsey,
• review the recent performance of flood mitigation works (town levees) in comparison to the expected design performance of the works,
• assess the potential impacts of river cross-sectional changes due to geomorphological processes (erosion and/or sedimentation) between the rail bridge at Kempsey and the village of Frederickton,
• provide an assessment of strategic development options for the Kempsey Central Business District (CBD) including recommendations on appropriate development restrictions.