Singleton LGA

Introduction

Both Bulga and Broke lie along the Wollombi Brook catchment. The Wollombi Brook catchment is unique amongst the tributaries of the Hunter River, in that it rises within 30kn of the coast in the steep sandstone mountains which border the southern part of the catchment. The stream then flows due west away from the coast until it meets the Hunter River near Singleton after joining the Hunter River it then flows easterly until it again reaches the coast at Newcastle. 

Are you at risk from flooding?

Yes, you are!

Due to this type of catchment flooding varies from one flood to another and is dependent on rainfall. Heavy rain producing fast run of from the many creeks will produce deep and fast rises within the brook

Is there a history of flooding?

There has been many floods and flash floods including June 1949, August 1952, April 1963, January 1974, March 1977, June 2007, April 2015 and most recently July 2022 throughout the Wollombi Brook although few studies had been conducted of the area with the original gauges at Bulga and Brickman’s Bridge not providing enough warning. New gauges at Wollombi and Laguna were only installed to better monitor the catchment in December 2019.

What happens in Wollombi Brook with Riverine Flooding?

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

The name of their local flood gauge

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

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reads and refers to the Wollombi Gauge (210152) and Bulga Gauge (210028)

WOLLOMBI GAUGE

BULGA GAUGE

Introduction

Singleton is located on the Southern Side of the Hunter River, due to its location many of the upper hunter catchment tributaries join the Hunter River near Singleton LGA. These include the Isis, Pages and Goulburn Rivers and their tributaries, as well as the Dart Brook, Rouchel Brooks, Kingdon Ponds and Wollombi Brook.

Are you at risk from floods?

Yes, you are!

While riverine flooding is experienced on the majority of tributaries along the Hunter and adjacent rivers, within the Singleton Shire.  Flash flooding, throughout the many creeks within the catchment can be experienced due to back-up flow from the Hunter River this can cause inundation and isolation throughout the LGA.

Is there a history of flooding? 

Significant historical flood events have been experienced in the catchment since records began approximately 100 years ago. The February 1955 flood is the largest flood on record for the Singleton township reaching 14.71m, with other notable floods occurring in 1820, 1893, 1913, 1971 reaching 14.07m, 2007 reaching 14.20m and most recently July 2022 reached 13.16m. During these historical floods, a significant number of properties within the Singleton LGA were inundated as a result of mainstream Hunter River flooding.

In response to historical floods, flood mitigation measures were implemented to mitigate against future flooding. The most notable of these measures is the Singleton Levee, which was constructed in 1963 and designed to withstand flooding similar to that experienced in 1955. This levee was further extended in 1982-1983 and 1987 to improve the extent of protection provided to the township.

What happens in Singleton with Riverine Flooding?

To understand what happens in a Singleton 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 Singleton gauge (210001).