Newport is situated on the northern beaches peninsula within the Sydney metropolitan area. The Newport Beach catchment is fully developed and consists mainly of residential development, with commercial development located along Barrenjoey Road. Stormwater is managed through a piped drainage system and modified overland flow paths. Flows from the northern part of the catchment join flows from the western part of the catchment in low-lying areas adjacent to Barrenjoey Road. The headwaters of the north branch originate in an incised gully (McMahon’s Creek), with the low-lying areas adjacent to the beachfront being developed on what was, historically, a small coastal estuary (known as Farrels Lagoon) and floodplain.

Specific objectives for the Newport Beach catchment were identified by Council as being to:

• reduce the risk and implications of flooding to existing flood liable land in the Newport Beach catchment;
• mitigate the impacts of flooding on residential areas;
• minimise adverse economic impacts on the commercial centre of Newport Beach;
• assess development applications using a “merits based” approach taking account of social, economic and flooding considerations;
• over time, raise all flood prone development to or above Council’s flood planning level, through the application of development controls;
• ensure flood levels do not increase as a result of new development/redevelopment;
• encourage the development and use of land which is compatible with the assessed flood hazard, whilst ensuring such development is sympathetic to the visual character of the area;
• maintain the beach front lifestyle of Newport Beach;
• utilise ecologically sustainable methods for flood mitigation where possible;
• inform the community of Council’s policies in relation to the use and development of flood liable land in the Newport Beach catchment;
• alert the community to the extent and hazard of flood prone land in the Newport Beach catchment;
• reduce social disruption and damage caused by floodwaters, by ensuring the community is informed in regard to flood warning and evacuation procedures; and
• ensure that wherever possible, buildings and services required for evacuation and emergency needs are cited above the probable maximum flood level.