A series of projects to help better protect the Moulamein community from future flooding is now underway.
Murray River Council says the impacts of the 2022 floods will be used to formulate a new flood study for the community.
In the meantime, council will move forward with a $1.4 million flood mitigation works program to help flood proof major infrastructure like the water treatment plant.
And being installed this week is a NSW SES Flood Cache - a locked shipping container with SES supplies that can be made readily available in the instance of an emergency event.
The cache is being placed next to the Moulamein RFS site and ensures quick access to supplies before the SES can mobilise into town.
Council was awarded $1.28 million in government funding for the flood mitigation project through the Commonwealth and NSW Government supported Disaster Ready Fund.
Council contributed the remaining $127,272.
Council’s director infrastructure Jack Bond said initial survey works to inform the project were completed this month, with additional works and plans soon to follow.
Overall, the project includes:
• Protection of the water treatment plant, including access improvements.
• Early minor works planned for stormwater outlets.
• Planning for pump management and improvements once outlets are shut.
• Future levee works. This part of the project will be delivered once the flood study is complete.
“The project aims to construct a ring levee around the Moulamein Water Treatment Plant, upgrade sections of the town levee, and provide infrastructure to prevent riverine and stormwater backflow,” Mr Bond said.
“These measures will enhance the flood resilience of Moulamein, reduce the risk of flooding, and alleviate the need for emergency response and post-flood recovery efforts.”
The flood study review will ensure mapping and plans capture all relevant data to support flood preparedness and response activities, whilst also helping with future planning decisions.
Water Modelling Solution has been appointed to undertake all work relating to the flood study review, which will be funded by a grant from the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management Program.
“The 2022 flood is noted as the highest flood on record for the Moulamein area, so we want to ensure that we have a study and subsequent mitigation options that capture and respond to this record flood data,” Mr Bond said.
As part of the review, comprehensive flood modelling will be undertaken to identify priority road locations for culverts to ensure they do not restrict flows and allow safe access during events.
The project will also review potential locations for future levee extensions to facilitate land release for new dwellings, among other things.
Mr Bond said council will soon be inviting community members to join a reference committee.
“Community input is crucial for the success of this project,” he said.
“We’ve always received really valuable input and guidance from Moulamein residents, so I’d encourage locals to get involved in the community stage of this project.”