Gunnedah Shire Council has placed the Draft Blackjack Creek Flood Study Update on public exhibition and is inviting community feedback.
The study has been prepared to improve understanding of flooding behaviour along Blackjack Creek, including major overland flow, and will inform future flood risk management planning across the Gunnedah Shire.
It outlines flood behaviour—covering flood levels, flow paths and velocities—for events ranging from a 20 per cent to 0.2 per cent Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP), as well as the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF).
The update represents the first two stages of the flood risk management process for Blackjack Creek and will inform a future Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, and potentially broader floodplain planning across the Shire.
“Despite its technical detail, the study contains findings that may be relevant to Gunnedah residents, particularly households located within the Blackjack Creek floodplain and outer floodplain,” Council’s Manager of Building and Environment, Blake O’Mullane said.
Council is encouraging residents to review Figure 6.23 – Interim Flood Planning Area, Mainstream Flooding and Major Overland Flow Affected Areas.
“The study reflects changes in the flood behaviour, including the impacts of overland flow and works previously completed to Blackjack Creek,” O’Mullane said.
“While the document contains a significant amount of technical information, Figure 6.23 is particularly relevant for residents to review.”
The study has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy and the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual (2023), and is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government through the Floodplain Management Program.
O’Mullane said the project forms part of a broader program of flood studies.
“This project is part of a wider plan of works, which will include updating the Carroll to Gunnedah Flood Study,” he said.
“The information gathered through these studies will inform the next stage of flood risk management planning, where Council will examine practical measures and planning options to work towards reducing flood risk for residents, businesses and infrastructure across the Shire.”
The Draft Blackjack Creek Flood Study Update is available for inspection at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
Submissions close at 5pm on Wednesday, 29 April.
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