21/8/00
Work has started on a $150,000 floodplain management plan for Carnarvon, Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said today.
The Water and Rivers Commission has engaged consultants Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd to examine major river flooding and flood management options to reduce the impact of flooding on Carnarvon.
The Shire of Carnarvon’s Floodplain Management Advisory Committee is overseeing the project and a draft report is to be completed by January 2001.
Dr Hames said Carnarvon was a priority area for flood mitigation options.
“Floods cause major damage to both private and public property as well as creating a feeling of uncertainty in the community,” he said.
“Flood management options such as diverting floodwater out of the river upstream of the town and better land use planning are some of the options we are asking the consultant to assess.
“The study will include recommendations on preferred flood management options and the results will be discussed with the community before a final decision is made on the next steps to help protect Carnarvon.
“It is likely that the final recommendations will be incorporated into the Shire of Carnarvon’s Town Planning Scheme that is currently being reviewed.
“The Lower Gascoyne Management Strategy has allocated $200,000 to implement the recommendations of the floodplain management plan.”
At a broader level the Water and Rivers Commission has allocated $450,000 in this financial year to implement the recommendations of the Ministerial Floodplain Taskforce throughout Western Australia.
Since the taskforce’s recommendations were delivered in 1998, the commission has undertaken detailed contour mapping of the Gascoyne River floodplain between Carnarvon and Rocky Pool and surveyed peak flood levels from the March 2000 flooding.
Media contact: Sandy Gater, 9424 7455
WRC: Jonelle Black, 9278 0741
