The study area includes the Bellinger River and Kalang River catchments. The Bellinger and Kalang Rivers are located within Bellingen Shire Council. The Bellinger and Kalang Rivers join and discharge into the Pacific Ocean near Urunga. The total catchment area of both rivers is 1110 square kilometres. The catchment area of the Kalang River upstream of its junction with the Bellinger River is approximately 340 square kilometres. The headwaters of the catchments are located in the Great Dividing Range and are characterised by steep topography. The lower reaches are characterised by broad floodplains and farmland. Residential development within the catchments generally consists of small settlements. Major centres exist at Bellingen and Urunga.

The primary objective of this study is to define the flood behaviour under historical and existing floodplain conditions in the Study Area while addressing possible future variations in flood behaviour due to climate change and provide information for its management. In addition, one of the central objectives of the Flood Study process is to provide the local community with a community accepted resource that can be utilised for all flood related issues including development, flood warning, response and management/remediation.