The Macleay River catchment covers some 11,500 square kilometres. The main tributaries, including the Aspley, Muddy and Chandler Rivers, rise in the Great Dividing Range and flow across the New England Tablelands before falling into rugged gorge country. The Macleay itself emerges from the gorges some 35km upstream of Kempsey. Below Kempsey the river meanders through a wide expanse of low lying floodplain, which is subject to frequent and persistent flooding.

Summary of issues:

• Design flood levels
• Maintenance of river bank protection works
• Drain maintenance
• Flood warning
• Willows drain floodgate
• Evacuation routes
• Pola creek levees
• Kempsey traffic bridge gauge