Murrumbidgee Valley Floodplain Management Plan commences

The NSW Government has launched the Murrumbidgee Valley Floodplain Management Plan, an important tool to manage rural flood works and their effects on flows and connectivity downstream of Wagga Wagga.

The streamlined plan sets out the rules for flood work applications within the declared floodplain, including roads, channels, dams or levee banks that can change the way water flows to or from a river or how it moves during a flood.

Underpinned by the latest data and hydraulic modelling, the plan will be used to coordinate what types of flood works can be constructed and where, while balancing the needs of communities, landholders and the environment, as well as protecting cultural and heritage sites.

It comes after two rounds of public consultation in 2024 where we received valuable feedback on the draft plan from dozens of local landowners, residents, and stakeholders.

What we heard helped to inform the final plan, including how far the management zones extend and the rules within them.

We thank the community for engaging with us throughout the development of the plan, which will be in effect until June 2035.

It is important to note the Murrumbidgee Valley Floodplain Management Plan is unrelated to the Reconnecting River Country Program.

For more information, and to read the Murrumbidgee Valley Floodplain Management Plan and a summary of community engagement, visit: Murrumbidgee Valley floodplain.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Water Planning, Giselle Howard, said:  

“I thank everyone in the community who shared their local knowledge, experience, expertise and feedback over the last year, which was critical to helping us finalise the plan.

“Our goal is responsible and effective rural floodplain management to help us sustain healthy communities and environments, now and in the future.

“This plan will play a pivotal role in guiding the Murrumbidgee Valley over the next decade.”