Reasons for the Study

The purpose of the study is to define flood behaviour throughout the Lansdowne stormwater catchment, including the analysis of flows within the underground pipe drainage network and surface runoff across the catchment.

The study provides information on flood conditions throughout the catchment for a range of design floods, from relatively frequent events to more extreme floods, for existing catchment conditions as at 2012. The results of the study will form the technical basis for subsequent floodplain management investigations, including the identification of problem areas and assessment of flood mitigation options to reduce the risk and magnitude of flooding. Assistance will be sought from the community to help identify these areas and to derive appropriate solutions.

Responsibilities

The prime responsibility for planning and management of flood prone land in New South Wales rests with local government. The New South Wales Government provides assistance on state-wide policy issues and technical support. Financial assistance is also provided to undertake flood studies and floodplain management studies, and for implementing measures identified in these studies. Funding and technical assistance was provided for this study through Bankstown City Council, the Commonwealth Government under the Natural Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme (NDRGS), and the State Government through the Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH).

The study has been undertaken under the direction of Bankstown City Council and their Floodplain Management Committee. The Committee includes Councillors and Council staff, officers from OEH, the State Emergency Service and community representatives.