Developed by Kempsey Shire Council and specialist consultant engineers, JACOBS, the Draft Lower Macleay Flood Study evaluates an area spanning from Frederickton to South West Rocks to Stuarts Point in the north and Crescent Head in the south.

The study is part of a five-stage process in the development of a plan of management for the floodplain to reduce the impact and risk of flood events.

In the first stage of the process, council formed a Floodplain Risk Management Committee consisting of a representative of council, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, NSW State Emergency Service, and four long-term landowners of the Lower Macleay.

The committee have been actively involved in progress meetings and in the review of the draft study which was presented at the September council meeting.

The meeting resolved to put the draft study on public exhibition for 28 days and for Council to hold an information meeting.

Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the study at an information session at the Gladstone Heritage Hotel in the upstairs function room on Tuesday, October 15 from 5pm to 7pm.

Residents can also provide feedback by making a submission online at: https://yoursay.macleay.nsw.gov.au/draft-lower-macleay-flood-study

The deadline for submissions is Monday, October 28.

All submissions received will be reviewed before the Final Flood Study Report is presented at the December Council meeting.

From there, a Draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and a Floodplain Risk Management Plan will be developed and are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.