The Sutherland Shire community is being encouraged to help shape how flood risk is understood and managed, with Shoalhaven Shire Council’s revised Draft Overland Flow Flood Study now on public exhibition until Friday 25 September.
The revised draft Study, endorsed for public exhibition at Council’s July meeting, provides updated information on overland flow flood risk to support responsible planning, emergency management and future flood risk reduction.
Mayor, Jack Boyd said the exhibition was a chance for the community to review the updated information, ask questions and ensure local knowledge helps inform the final Study.
“Flooding is a serious issue for communities across Australia, and Council is committed to giving residents clear, accurate information so we can plan responsibly and reduce risk where we can,” Mayor Boyd said.
“A significant body of technical work has been undertaken to develop this revised draft Study, and it has also been shaped by community feedback received when the original draft was exhibited in late 2023.”
Since the previous exhibition, Council has reviewed more than 2,180 submissions and undertaken extensive site inspections, three rounds of ground-truthing, updated rainfall and modelling inputs, further technical validation and an independent expert peer review.
The Study has also been developed with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and prepared in line with current industry standards, the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual and national guidelines.
“Community feedback directly informed a comprehensive review process aimed at improving transparency, strengthening confidence in the modelling and providing clearer information for residents,” Mayor Boyd said.
“The updated Study adopts a more accurate, risk-based approach so the focus is on properties genuinely exposed to meaningful flood risk.”
As a result, the number of lots identified within the Flood Planning Area has reduced from more than 7,000 lots in the 2023 draft to around 3,300 lots in the revised 2026 draft. The number of properties within the Probable Maximum Flood extent has also been reduced.
Council is also reassuring residents that no new planning certificate notations are being proposed at this stage. Community feedback will be considered before Council makes any future decisions regarding adoption or potential planning certificate notations.
To support the exhibition, Council will provide direct communication with affected property owners, plain-language resources, explainer videos, interactive flood mapping through Shire Maps and opportunities to speak with the project team and technical experts at a range of In-Person community sessions.
“We know discussions about flooding can create uncertainty, which is why transparency, accessibility and responsiveness are at the centre of this exhibition process,” Mayor Boyd said.
“I strongly encourage residents to review the information available and provide constructive feedback, so the final Study is informed by both robust science and local knowledge.”
The community can view the revised draft Study, access supporting resources, find pop-up and information session details and provide feedback through Council’s Join the Conversation website at 2026 Draft Overland Flow – Flood Study | Join the Conversation – Sutherland Shire Council during the exhibition period.
