The study area comprises the floodplain of the Lower Clarence River within Maclean Shire. This encompasses all of the floodplain of the river downstream of and including Brushgrove. It includes the associated tributaries and branches, as well as the Broadwater and Wooloweyah Lagoon, south of Yamba. Urban areas within this region include the townships of Maclean and Yamba, the village of Iluka, plus various smaller villages, such as Harwood, Brushgrove, Palmers Island and Lawrence. The majority of the land is rural, with extensive areas of sugar cane farming.

This Floodplain Management Plan outlines Maclean Shire Council's plan to manage the existing and future flood problems within its area Le. downstream of and including Brushgrove. Currently some 1300 dwellings and commercial/industrial premises will be inundated in a 1% (or 1 in 100 year) flood causing around $9 million damage to urban and village areas. The 1% flood has been adopted by Council as the designated flood event for planning purposes.