North Wagga Submission for BMT Group Peer Review

NORTH WAGGA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION MARCH 2021 | Fi Ziff
The Association presents the following detailed report for consideration in the Peer Review
of the 2009 and 2018 FRMPs.
Discussion of issues arising.
(1) Critical information pertaining to the unsustainable emotional and
financial trauma endured by Residents as a direct result of flooding and
inadequate protection, is omitted from the 2018 FRMP.
The Floodplain Development Manual clearly states that the Policy outcomes are concerned with “the
management of the consequences of flooding as they relate to the human occupation of the floodplain, in
full recognition that the social and economic needs of the community, as well as being compatible with the
maintenance or enhancement of the natural ecosystems, must be satisfied”. In Appendix G7.1.1 it states
“to objectively compare issues and management measures, it is necessary to gather a variety of socioeconomic
data” and goes on to suggest that a Community Impact Study might be necessary. It also states
that “whilst direct economic analysis is important it is not unusual to proceed with urban flood mitigation
schemes on largely social grounds, that is, on the basis of the reduction in intangible costs and social and
community disruption. The 2018 FRPMP does not consider the social and economic needs of Residents
and is therefore, in our view, unsound.
Residents are faced with the constant threat of flooding because the levee is not adequate. Residents are
also incredibly nervous about the increased risk brought about by the thickened vegetation and the recent
upgrade of the Main City Levee which only exacerbates the situation. Residents’ lives revolve around the
likelihood of a flood. Food protection premiums are exorbitant. If residents can afford them, it places
significant financial strain on the household finances. Most residents cannot afford them, so live with the
stress of having no certainty about the capacity to pay for flood damage repairs. Every time there is a
forecast of above average rain, residents start monitoring upstream rainfall forecasts, dam levels and river
levels. If a flood warning is issued, most residents face the real risk of losing their belongings because they
are not able to elevate them or relocate them. They also have only hours to relocate their family and
animals as well as find a temporary home to relocate to. If the village floods, Residents are faced with the
cost of repairs; being displaced for up to eighteen months; increased flood premiums; and loss of property
value.
The matter of the social and economic cost of flooding is addressed in our representative Dr Jenny Woods’
Thesis for the Degree of a Doctor of Philosophy entitled “Experiences of community spirit in flood recovery:
Exploring the opportunities for community development” dated March 2017. While on the Committee, Dr
Woods attempted to convince committee members that her research revealed serious stress-related
health issues among residents, such as PSTD, high blood pressure, anxiety, MS. She also pointed out that
some residents are not flood protected because the insurance premiums are exorbitant and money has to
be found to repair flood damage, exacerbating the emotional trauma. Dr Woods referred to the
quantifiable economic costs incurred by residents with regard to cost of repairs and loss of house value.
However, Dr Woods was consistently met with strong resistance from Council staff, Councillors and certain
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