The report outlines the consultation process undertake, by NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released their ‘What We Heard Report’, detailing community and stakeholder feedback on the draft Floodplain Management Plan (FMP) for the Murrumbidgee Valley. 

The draft FMP was open for public exhibition from August to September 2024, and received 30 submissions and 62 attendees at 36 individual appointments and three stakeholder group meetings. 

Meetings with stakeholders and individuals were held in Balranald, Hay, Darlington Point, Griffith and Wagga Wagga. The department met with First Nations groups and the NSW Irrigators’ Council and also held online and virtual consultation sessions

Key issues raised included concerns about having to get flood work approvals for existing flood works, particularly those constructed before December 1999, and uncertainty about the extent of the management zones. 

Feedback also highlighted the need for regulatory certainty regarding existing flood works owned and operated by irrigation corporations. 

The department is expected to refine the draft FMP based on the feedback received and submit it for approval to the Minister for Water and the Minister for the Environment. 

The final FMP is anticipated to commence on 1 July 2025.

You can read the What We Heard Report HERE.