Lake Macquarie LGA

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Swansea

Introduction


Note: This area cover other areas like Swansea, Swansea Heads, Caves Beach, Murrays  Beach,  Pinny Beach,  Nords  Wharf,  Catherine  Hill  Bay,  Crangan  Bay,  Gwandalan,  Summerland  Point,  Chain Valley  Bay,  Kingfisher Shores,  Mannering  Park, Doyalson  North,  Lake  Munmorah, Freemans Wybung and Frazer Park.

Are you at risk from flooding?


Yes, you are!

Swansea is located at the Entrance of Lake Macquarie from the Pacific Ocean and can be affected by several types of flooding along with King Tides. Most notably, flooding on Lake Macquarie can occur with elevated ocean levels, typically these levels fluctuate by small increments, though high tides, storm surges and intense rainfall can cause the Lake to rise. The Highest recorded level was 1.25m AHD in 1949, Flood levels on the foreshore of the Lake are affected by runoff from surrounding catchments and the inflows from the Pacific Ocean via Swansea Channel.

Swansea may also experience flash flooding that has the potential to impact properties and local streets if there are substantially heavy falls within the area. If the Lake is at a higher than usual level, stormwater systems may be limited in function which can lead to water pooling in areas of Swansea. King tides can also cause low-lying flooding within Swansea, particularly around Bowman Street.

Is there a history of flooding?


Historical Flood records started in the 1930’s show that lake flooding has occurred in the urban areas surrounding Lake Macquarie. Lake flooding has resulted in inundation of urban lands and occasionally of building floors. Most recently, flooding occurred in the February 1990, June 2007 Jan 2018 (King Tide) and April 2015 events.

What happens in Swansea with Riverine Flooding


To understand what happens in a Swansea flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

  1. The name of their local flood gauge
  2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
  3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology reads and refers to the Swansea Channel gauge (561090).

Height (m)

Relevance / Action

 

Major Flood Level

 

Moderate Flood Level

 

Minor Flood Level

Cooranbong

Are you at risk from flooding?


Yes, you are!

Flooding within the Dora Creek and Cooranbong townships occurs following heavy rainfall where flood flows in excess of channel capacities results in overbank flooding. Within the lower reaches of Dora Creek, flooding may also be influenced by high water levels in Lake Macquarie waterway.

Is there a history of flooding?


Flooding along Dora Creek and to a lesser extent along Jigadee and Stockton Creeks has been recorded since the 1930’s. The February 1981 event was the largest accurately recorded on Dora Creek. In recent times two significant events occurred on Dora Creek, in February 1990 and June 2007.

What happens in Cooranbong with Flooding?


To understand what happens in a Toronto flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

  1. The name of their local flood gauge
  2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
  3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Dora Creek gauge (561074).

Height (m)

Relevance / Action

 

Major Flood Level

 

Moderate Flood Level

 

Minor Flood Level

Introduction


The Dora Creek catchment is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie waterway, 30km southwest of Newcastle and 120km north of Sydney. Dora Creek has a catchment area of approximately 238km2 and is the largest catchment flowing into the Lake Macquarie waterway which has a total catchment of 684 km2. Dora Creek has two main tributaries, Jigadee Creek which enters from the north and Stockton Creek which enters from the south.

Belmont

Introduction


The Jewells Wetland catchment is a significant catchment, located in the north-east region of the City of Lake Macquarie. The catchment includes parts of Mt Hutton, Tingira Heights, Windale, Gateshead, Bennets Green, Redhead and Jewells. The Jewells Wetland is located behind the coastal dunes.

Are you at risk from flooding?


Yes, you are!

The catchment often responds rapidly to heavy rainfall which results in localized flooding, this occurs from major tributaries that generally drain into Jewells Wetland. Flooding within the downstream end can occur due to oceanic driven events such as tide or storm surge.

Is there a history of flooding?


Records show that the catchment has been subjected to major flooding events dating back to 1969. Significant flooding occurred at Scrubby Creek in 1988, 1990 and 2007 impacting the suburb of Windale. The area of Gateshead has recorded major flooding within the same events, whilst Jewells, in the area of Coolaroo Rd has experienced major flooding most recently in June 2007, April 2015 and January 2016.

What happens in Belmont Swamp with Flooding


To understand what happens in a Belmont Creek flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

  1. The risk of their specific area
  2. Their local gauge and where to find recorded heights
  3. What their emergency Plan is and how to create one

There are currently no water level gauges in the Jewells Wetland catchment. The public can access the Lake Macquarie Disaster Dashboard below, and also register to receive alerts from Lake Macquarie City Council for flooding.

Toronto

Introduction


Note; This area includes Booragul, Marmong Point, Fassifern, Blackalls Park, Awaba, Ryhope, Fennell Bay, Bolton Point, Carey  Bay, Coal  Point, Woodrising, Wakefield and Kilaben Bay.

Toronto is a lakeside suburb within the city of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, approximately 28 kilometres from Newcastle's central business district and is a commercial hub for the sprawling suburbs on the western shore of the lake. It is one of the major centers in the City of Lake Macquarie LGA.

Stoney Creek also winds its way through the Toronto area draining into Lake Macquarie at Fennell Bay. With several large tributaries (Palmers Creek, Mudd Creek, Carleton Street Creek and LT Creek) contributing to the flow into Stony creek.  

Are you at risk from flooding?


Yes, you are!

Previous flooding within the catchment has caused inundation and property damage

Is there a history of flooding


Historical records (started in 1927) show that periodically the level of the lake has risen in response to heavy rainfall over the catchment and/or elevated ocean levels. This has resulted in inundation of land and occasionally of building floors. The records show that the highest recorded level was 1.25 m AHD in 1949 (observed at Marks Point) Major events occurred most recently in June 2007, February 1981 and February 1990.

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What happens in Toronto with Flooding


To understand what happens in a Toronto flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

  1. The name of their local flood gauge
  2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
  3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Marmong Point gauge (561063) and Stoney Creek (211495)

Warners Bay Sector

Introduction


Warners bay is located on the Eastern side of Lake Macquarie.

Are you at risk from flooding?


Warners bay is located on the Eastern side of Lake Macquarie and can experience flooding within several catchments. North Creek lies within the boundaries of Lake Macquarie LGA and drains into Lake Macquarie at Warners Bay, flooding of roads and residential areas have occurred several times, notably in June 1949 and February 1990. Elevated water levels within North Creek are a result of intense rainfall over the catchment, though elevated water levels in Lake Macquarie can contribute to catchment flooding.

Warmers Bay can also be affected by flooding within the Lake Macquarie catchment, due to the runoff from various tributaries and the elevated ocean levels during high tides, the water level in the Lake can fluctuate readily. Flood levels on the foreshore are affected both by runoff from surrounding catchments and inflows from the Pacific Ocean. Historically, rainfall over 3 to 7-day periods has caused substantial elevated water levels in the Lake, though 2007 caused elevation in under 12 hours.

Is there a history of flooding?


North Creek which drains into Lake Macquarie at Warners Bay. Flooding of roads and residential areas within the catchment has occurred on several occasions in living memory. The most notable being June 1949 and February 1990.

South Creek which also drains into Lake Macquarie at Warners Bay. Flooding of roads and residential areas within the catchment has occurred on several occasions in living memory. The most notable being March 1990 and June 2007.

What happens in Warners Bay with Riverine Flooding


To understand what happens in a Warners Bay flood, it is important that all residents and businesses know:

  1. The name of their local flood gauge
  2. Where to find the current river levels on the Bureau of Meteorology website
  3. What consequences occur at different flood heights and what actions to take

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Belmont gauge (211461).

Height (m)

Relevance / Action

1.10m

Major Flood Level

0.90m

Moderate Flood Level

0.70m

Minor Flood Level

Learn more about the dangers of flood, storm and tsunami:

Flood Storm Tsunami

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