Planning Scheme Major Amendment - Local Catchment and Riverine Flood Mapping
Consultation has concluded
Consultation has concluded. We are currently reviewing all submissions received. All properly made submissions will be considered by Council and all Submitter's will receive further correspondence in relation to your submission upon Council’s decision.
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Amendment to the Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme
Rockhampton Regional Council is currently undertaking an amendment to the Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme and is seeking feedback on the proposed amendments.
Council has completed several flood studies to improve its understanding of flooding in the Rockhampton region. A key component of this work has involved updating the regional flood model and local catchment studies, as well as undertaking new flood studies for previously unmodelled catchments within the region.
The outcomes from these studies provide Council with a better understanding of local catchment flood behaviour, flood hazard, and vulnerability to assist with informing future natural hazard overlays for associated development controls.
Completing flood studies and updating flood information is consistent with the findings of the final report of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry (QFCI, 2012) which recommends that Councils provide up to date flood information and warnings to residents. Rockhampton Regional Council takes this responsibility very seriously and is providing you with the latest updated flood information as part of our commitment to the safety of our residents.
Council has recently completed updated flood studies for the North Rockhampton Creek Catchments including Ramsay Creek, Splitters Creek, Limestone Creek, Moores Creek, Frenchmans Creek, and Thozets Creek.
New flood studies and assessments have also been completed for the previously unmodelled local catchments in South Rockhampton, West Rockhampton, Wandal, Gracemere North, and Mount Morgan. The flood studies have assessed flooding potential due to rainfall in the local catchment areas, and the outcomes of the studies and assessments have resulted in updated and new flood hazard overlay mapping for these areas.
The incorporation of best practice considerations has also been extended to the Riverine Flood Mapping, with updating of the regional flood modelling, and re-categorisation of the hazard classification for the Fitzroy River flood mapping from the current endorsed Queensland Reconstruction Authority hazard categorisation which encompasses 4 levels of hazard categorisation (adopted from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority 2012b guideline: Planning for stronger, more resilient floodplains) to the six level hazard categorisation to align with the updated National Best practice guidance on Flood Hazard in accordance with the Australian Rainfall and Runoff National Guidelines.
The planning scheme includes land identified as having a flood risk within the Flood Hazard Overlay. The Flood Hazard Overlay Mapping has been amended to include the new flood information as part of Council’s on-going commitment to the Rockhampton Regional Council Flood Management Strategy.
Council now seeks to include this updated information as part of the major amendment to the Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme.