Lower Macleay River Floodplain Risk Management Plan

• Completion Date17 December 2024

Council adopted the Lower Macleay River Flood Risk Management Study and Plan at the December 2024 Ordinary Meeting.

Why do we need this plan?

Kempsey township and the downstream communities of Frederickton, Gladstone and Smithtown have long been regarded as among Australia’s worst flood impact locations.

The Lower Macleay River Floodplain Risk Management Plan outlines a range of measures to manage existing, future and residual flood risks effectively and provide a prioritised implementation strategy in the event of a flood emergency.

The plan will allow the community and Council to manage flood risk through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities.

The plan will also provide a better understanding of:

• variations in flood risks and hazards in the Lower Macleay
• the impacts and costs for a range of flood events and risks for the existing and future communities
• the impact of changes in development and a changing climate on flood risk
• emergency response opportunities and limitations
• the effectiveness of the current emergency response procedures