NSW Local Governments have responsibility for identifying and then managing the risk to life and property from flooding, and have a duty of care to disclose this information to the community. Local Governments must act in accordance with the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy, which aims to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on individual owners and occupiers of flood prone property. One of the most important steps in this process is increasing our community’s awareness of flooding so that people are better able to understand and plan for the flood risks they face.

The study includes parts of Ingleside, Elanora Heights, Warriewood and a small part of North Narrabeen.

The draft Ingleside, Elanora and Warriewood Overland Flow Flood Study Map shows land that would be affected by the Probable Maximum Flood. Properties affected by the Flood Planning Level (i.e. the 1 in 100 year flood plus freeboard) are also shaded on the map. 

The Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) is the largest flood that can occur. It is very rare.

A 1% Annual Exceedance Probability flood event is equivalent to a 1 in 100 year flood, which is a major rain event that occurs on average once every 100 years, i.e. there is a 1% chance of a flood of this size occurring at a particular location in any given year. 

Freeboard is included in the Flood Planning Level as a buffer, to account for factors such as unforeseen blockages, waves from vehicles (such as SES rescue trucks), other localised hydraulic effects and uncertainties in the modelling and determination of flood levels. Freeboard is typically 0.5m above a flood level, or for some areas of shallow flood depths a reduced freeboard of 0.3m may appy.

For most people, there is nothing to do in response to this flood study, as there is no immediate change to the situation. However property owners who are planning redevelopment of their property may need to take some additional steps as part of the consent process because flood related development controls may apply. This could include the requirement to have the floor levels of new residential development set at or above the Flood Planning Level. 

If there is significant rain at the top of the hill, the rain will run downhill through low lying gullies, channels and surface depressions. The speed and depth of floodwaters may be less at the top of the catchment than further down the hill, but still be significant enough to pose a risk.

Individual insurance companies typically identify Flood Prone Land and assess risk through their own flood studies, analysis and flood mapping exercises, irrespective of whether Council has undertaken a flood study. These calculations are outside Council’s control. The information is then used to set policies and premiums. 

If it is a life threatening situation call 000. In the event of floods, storms or tsunamis, please contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 or visit their website at ses.nsw.gov.au

The State Emergency Service has a useful website providing advice on how to manage flood risk. Visit www.floodsafe.com.au for more information.

Flood related development controls can be found on Council’s website, in Clauses B3.11, B3.12 and B3.13 of the Pittwater 21 Development Control Plan, and Clauses 7.3 and 7.4 of the Pittwater Local Environment Plan.

The draft Study was produced using a grant from the NSW Government Floodplain Management Program, and is two-thirds funded by the NSW Government with Council paying the remaining third of the cost. 

No.

The Ingleside Precinct project belongs to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.  It is something completly different and un-related.

View the Department website