News
21 July, 2026
Bowral South flood risks manageable according to report
Flood risks to the proposed Bowral South New Living Area (NLA) are manageable according to a report prepared for Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Flood risks to the proposed Bowral South New Living Area (NLA) are manageable according to a report prepared for Wingecarribee Shire Council.
The Flood Plain Impact and Risk Assessment (FIRA) – prepared by Maker Consulting Services – will be discussed at the August 3 meeting of council’s Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee with the recommendation that it be received and noted.
The FIRA concludes that the draft Master Plan for the Bowral South NLA as previously exhibited “can be developed in a manner that is consistent with contemporary flood risk management principles and the requirements of the NSW Flood Risk Management framework”.
It also concludes that the proposed developed would not adversely affect “neighbouring properties, infrastructure or the broader community” in the event of the flood.
The report is already being questioned by Bowral South NLA opponents who contend that thousands of homes will be at risk in the event of a flood event.
They also say the development will push water onto existing adjacent properties and create a “flood island”.
Member for Wollondilly has described the Bowral South NLA as a “disaster waiting for happen” and has called for planning to be stopped all together.
Mrs Hannan will be one of the speaker voicing concerns about the proposed NLA at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Southern Highlands Community Forum in Bowral.
A report prepared by council staff for the August 3 meeting says the FIRA “supports council’s place-based planning framework by ensuring flood risk is appropriately considered”.
It concludes that “the FIRA demonstrates that key flood-related characteristics of the draft Master Plan comply with relevant planning guidelines and legislation, with sufficient confidence to move to the next stages in the planning process”.
Council staff have recommended that 12 lots in the proposed NLA that would be impacted in a Defined Flood Event (1 in 100 chance per year) be modified or removed from the draft Master Plan.
Another 287 lots (out of the proposed 2100) that would be impacted in the event of a Possible Maximum Flood – described as “extremely rare” – should also be reviewed and potentially removed or modified “to ensure the risk is within tolerable levels”.
Of these, roughly 35 to 50 lots impacted by a H3 hazard categorisation (flood depths of up to 1.2 metres) will be considered for removal.
· Wednesday night’s meeting of the Southern Highlands Community Forum will commence at 7.30pm at The Venue in Station Street, Bowral.
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