The town of Walgett, which is located on the Namoi River near its confluence with the Barwon River, has a population of about 2,600. It is protected from flooding by a ring levee system surrounding the town. Total levee length is approximately 8.7km.

Temporary levees were hurriedly constructed in 1950 and again in 1956, each time with approaching floods. In 1961, a levee system designed by Walgett Shire Council in conjunction with the then Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission was constructed to a constant level equal to the 1890 flood of record, as recorded at the Walgett Post Office, plus 0.6m free board. As a result of flooding in 1971, 1974 and 1976 some additional levee works were carried out including raising of the north-eastern section of the levee to 0.9 metres above the level of the 1890 flood.

Walgett Shire Council currently propose to raise a weir on the Barwon River to create an elevated pool in the Namoi River beside the town levee, however this weir will be submerged during major floods. The effect on flood levels at the levee will be negligible.

The audit is designed to appraise the flood security and structural adequacy of the levee system at walgett. This report presents the results of that audit and consists of a visual appraisal of the levee and materials, assessment of the water retention capacity of the levee, research of flood records and an appraisal of the cost of corrective action and the extent of such action.