A program designed to reduce the risk and impact of flood events across towns in inland NSW has been extended thanks to a $3 million Australian Government grant.

The Improving Floodplain Connections – Urban Protection Program is a risk-reduction program that targets existing flood works. Since 2022, it has been working to restore hydrological connectivity across northern basin floodplains of inland NSW.

The grant, which is funded through the Commonwealth National Emergency Management Agency, will provide $3 million over a three-year period. It will be used to investigate areas where rural flood works are impacting on urban communities and propose remediation options.

The funding will allow the NSW Government to expand the program to help develop an evidence-based, coordinated approach to addressing risks to life and property in urban areas in inland NSW that result from rural floodwork development.

According to the NSW Government, the expansion will help determine a remediation pathway to modify and approve flood works, working closely with the landholder, raise awareness and help communities better understand the rules around Floodplain Management Plans, which will improve compliance culture and continue meaningful engagement and collaboration with First Nations communities, landholders and other key stakeholders.

The expansion will build on the Improving Floodplain Connections Program work to date and will help mitigate against flooding to towns in high-risk locations, including in Moree, Bourke, Forbes, Moama, Narromine, Walgett, Hay, Condobolin and in other inland towns and communities.

NSW DCCEEW has identified 14 Local Government Areas across inland NSW where flood works pose known risks, and have received strong support for the program. 

“We need to build resilience for communities against flood hazards, especially as climate change brings more challenges than ever before," NSW DCCEEW Director Healthy Floodplains Project Delivery Alastair McKenzie-McHarg said.

"Expanding the Improving Floodplain Connections Program will build on the critical work done to date, and deliver a coordinated approach for these high-risk locations to mitigate against flooding to towns across our state’s west.

“Flooding remains one of the biggest natural disaster threats to the people of NSW. This program takes another vital step towards remediating the most high-risk flood works, which will help protect people, their homes and businesses from future harm.”