Making Flood Warnings Float

A pilot Project on the Georges River in Sydney: Bewsher, D., Campbell, B., Gissing, A., Yeo, S. and Kidd, L. (2004) Presented at the 44th Annual Conference of Floodplain Management Authorities of NSW, Coffs Harbour

The magnitude of the flood problem on the Georges River became apparent, particularly for large floods greater than the 100-year event, during a floodplain management study on the Georges River undertaken by Bewsher Consulting for Liverpool, Fairfield, Bankstown and Sutherland Councils.

Like some other river systems in New South Wales (NSW), there is limited scope to undertake structural works to solve the flood problem. An effective flood warning system and adequate response plans by emergency management personnel and the community are therefore of utmost importance.

Flood warning is potentially a highly effective means of flood loss mitigation. However, recent flooding has demonstrated several problems including poor community understanding of flood warning predictions, poor community response to warnings, and poor client identification by emergency services.

In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of flood warning systems in NSW, the State Emergency Service (SES), Bewsher Consulting and the Georges River Floodplain Management Committee have embarked upon a pilot flood warning project in the Georges River catchment. The project involves the creation of an enhanced flood intelligence system for the Georges River, which aims to inform a community education program targeted at improving the local community.

Download the reserach paper for more information.