Who is responsible for managing floods?
Flood management is a shared responsibility. Management of large scale (and generally rare) flood events is a shared responsibility between Government and the community. The NSW Government Floodplain Development Manual states: “The management of floodprone land is, primarily the responsibility of Councils”, but adds that other agencies such as the NSW Department of Planning and the NSW State Emergency Service have important and complimentary roles. Councils are responsible for the preparation of Floodplain Risk Management Plans and the SES (as the combat agency for dealing with floods) for the preparation of Local Flood (emergency) Plans, and in the management of floods when they occur. In addition, YOU – owners and occupiers of flood prone properties – are required to play a significant role in flood awareness, preparedness of your property and appropriate flood response.
