Narrandera and Lockhart Shires will be better prepared for future flood events following the announcement of an additional $2.34 million in funding to assist local councils understand and manage the risk posed by floods.
More than eight local councils will benefit from a funding boost as part of the Floodplain Grants Scheme, one of a suite of programs under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program.
Projects supported through this funding range from flood studies, floodplain risk management plans through to the construction of infrastructure such as detention basins, levees, crossings, floodgates and flood warning systems.
Lockhart Shire Council received funding for The Rock west drainage works, a project involving the construction and enhancement of the 1220 metres of drain and associated culvert structures from Public Watering Place land through Nicholas Street, Yerong Street and Urana Street to Braithwaites Creek.
The drainage system will collect water from the east side of The Rock from under the rail line and Olympic Highway and transfer it to Burkes Creek.
Narrandera Shire Council won a grant for Narrandera voluntary house raising/purchase feasibility assessment.
The Council’s recently completed Narrandera floodplain risk management study and plan recommended that a feasibility assessment be undertaken to determine community support for a voluntary house raising/purchase scheme for properties located in high hazard areas on the Murrumbidgee River floodplain.
A total of 14 properties, located in the high hazard floodway, will be assessed for voluntary purchase and a further three properties will be assessed for voluntary house raising.
These residences are affected in the one per cent annual exceedance probability flood event and flooding cannot be mitigated by other means.
Applications for the next round of funding are open and will close Thursday March 18.
