Flood Risk Management Plans and Studies
In New South Wales, local councils are responsible for planning and managing flood-prone land, with the NSW Government providing state-wide policy direction and technical support. The Flood Prone Land Policy and Flood Risk Manual(PDF, 3MB) guides councils in managing flood risk within their communities.
The objectives of the NSW Policy are to:
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Reduce the impact of flooding on existing developed areas through mitigation works and measures such as emergency management, voluntary purchase and house raising programs, flood mitigation infrastructure, and appropriate development controls.
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Minimise potential flood losses in new development areas through ecologically sensitive planning and development controls.
To support this policy, Ballina Shire Council has been commissioning flood studies and implementing the flood risk management process for more than 30 years. Each stage of the process is periodically reviewed and updated to reflect current data, models, practices and community values.
Types of plans and studies include:
1. Flood Study
Determines the nature and extent of flooding behaviour
In 1997 The first Ballina Floodplain Management Study commissioned by Ballina Shire Council was completed. The study developed the first version of computer based modelling of the lower Richmond River at Ballina that was calibrated to the measurements of the 1974 and 1976 floods. The estimated flood heights were used by Council to set minimum floor levels for new properties.
In 2004 the Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island Flood Study was completed which estimated flood heights at Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island. In 2008, the Ballina Flood Study Update (BMT WBM) was completed to develop an improved understanding of existing and future flood risk in Ballina and surrounding communities. This included the development of a new 2 dimensional flood model and flood inundation mapping for riverine, creek and ocean-driven design flood events.
In 2025 The Ballina Flood Study Update 2023(PDF, 181MB) was completed following the catastrophic 2022 floods to provide up to date flood information for land use planning, infrastructure planning and design, and emergency management to reduce flood risk in affected communities. The update provided flood mapping across Council’s Local Government Area (LGA), superseding the flood heights estimated in the 2008 Ballina and 2004 Wardell studies.
2. Flood Risk Management Study
Identifies, develops and compares various floodplain management options utilising the results of the Flood Study as well as assessment of social, economic, ecological and cultural issues
In 2008, the Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island Floodplain Risk Management Study was completed and in 2012, the Ballina Floodplain Risk Management Study(PDF, 8MB) was completed. These studies identified and evaluated options available to manage riverine, creek and oceanic flood risk in the townships of Wardell and Ballina and its surrounding regional communities.
3. Flood Risk Management Plan
Formalises outcomes of the previous studies and present the necessary information to enable relevant authorities to plan for the future
In 2009 the Wardell Floodplain Risk Management Plan was completed which was followed by development of the Ballina Floodplain Risk Management Plan(PDF, 3MB) in 2015.
These plans set out the floodplain management objectives and priorities for Council to implement into the future.
4. Plan Implementation
Includes construction of structural floodplain management measures as well as incorporation of non-structural measures into Environmental and Development Control Plans
This study presented a strategic plan to mitigate localised existing and future flood risk in Ballina Island and West Ballina by providing practical information in regard to recommended floodplain management measures such as timing, priority, cost and responsibility, plus recommendations for further investigation.
Council’s mapping can be viewed via an online portal
Resources
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 1 Report(PDF, 181MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.1 – Contents and Introduction(PDF, 489KB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.2 – Historical Flood Events(PDF, 361MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.3 – Baseline Design Events(PDF, 130MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.4 – Sensitivity to Joint Probability and Storm Tide Only Scenarios(PDF, 64MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.5 – Near-Term Climate Change SSP2-4.5(PDF, 135MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.6 – Mid-Term and Long-Term Climate Change SSP2-4.5(PDF, 109MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update 2023 – Vol 2.7 – Climate Change SSP3-7 and Sensitivity Tests(PDF, 73MB)
- Procedure for Ballina Regional Flood Impact Assessment - June 2022(PDF, 857KB)
- Floodplain Management Factsheet - April 2015(PDF, 148KB)
- Ballina Floodplain Risk Management Plan - 2015(PDF, 1010KB)
- Ballina Floodplain Risk Management Study Volume 1 - including figures 2012(PDF, 64MB)
- Ballina Floodplain Risk Management Study Volume 2 - including figures 2012(PDF, 8MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update (2008) Part 1(PDF, 18MB)
- Ballina Flood Study Update (2008) Part 2(PDF, 25MB)
- Wardell Floodplain Risk Management Plan - 2009(PDF, 4MB)
- Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island Floodplain Risk Management Study - 2008(PDF, 73MB)
- Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island Flood Study - 2004(PDF, 780KB)