The study area for the Lachlan Floodplain Management Plan incorporates the floodplain area covered by the existing Guidelines. The study area for the Lachlan Floodplain Management Plan extends from Gooloogong in the east to Jemalong Gap in the Jemalong Range in the west. The overall goal of the project is to coordinate floodplain development to minimise flood risk to occupiers and users of the floodplain whilst addressing the environmental, social and economic interests of the Lachlan River Valley. However, within this goal is a number of objectives, as described below:

• provide assistance to the Committee to facilitate development of a Rural Floodplain Management Plan for the study area and any additional area deemed appropriate;
• embrace the Rural Floodplain Management Principles (the Principles) adopted by the Committee;
• investigate development control and strategic planning measures to restore the natural sanctions of the floodplain whilst minimising flood risk to private assets and public infrastructure;
• recommend specific hydraulic/environmental criteria for development control;
• recommend appropriate management measures to sustainably manage the floodplain;
• ensure that the community consultation process facilitates community ownership of the completed Plan;
• ensure that development proposals in rural areas do not adversely impact on Forbes township;
• ensure compliance with; State policies such as the Flood Prone Land Policy and State Rivers and Estuaries Policy, environmental legislation, relevant planning instruments and relevant resource management plans;