Introduction

Molino Stewart has been commissioned to prepare the Penrith CBD Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) on behalf of Penrith City Council (Council) and overseen by the Penrith City Floodplain Management Committee. The Committee includes representatives from the local community, Councilors, Council Staff, NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE), State Emergency Services (SES), Infrastructure NSW and neighboring Councils. The study and plan are prepared in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land policy and the process outlined in its supporting manual.

The catchment covers the Penrith CBD area bounded by the Main Western Railway Line to the north, The Northern Road / Parker Street to the east, Jamison Road to the south and Mulgoa Road to the west.

Stage 1 (Data Collection) and Stage 2 (Flood Study) of the NSW Floodplain Management Program were completed by Cardno in 2015. The document herein presents Stages 3 and 4 of the NSW State Government’s Floodplain Management Program; the Penrith CBD Floodplain Risk Management Study and the Penrith CBD Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

Study Objectives

The overall purpose of this FRMS&P is to find practical, affordable and acceptable means to manage the impacts of flooding on people, property and the environment. The FRMS&P has the following major objectives:

• To summarize flood behavior in the catchment;
• To identify problem areas and to assess potential flood damages;
• To identify and evaluate potential risk mitigation interventions, or options;
• To develop a strategic plan for the implementation of the risk reduction measures identified.

This FRMS&P deals with local catchment flooding only, although it acknowledges the implications of mainstream flooding from the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, particularly in terms of emergency management.