These are draft minutes and are subject to confirmation by the Committee at its next meeting. The confirmed minutes will replace this draft version on the website.

Meeting Name	Floodplain Risk Management Committee
Date	Wednesday 17 April 2024	Time 6:04 PM
Venue	Level 4, PHIVE (5 Parramatta Square), Civic Reception Room + MS Teams
Attendees	Committee Members · Councillor Phil Bradley (Deputy Chairperson) · Angela Hansford - Community Member · Annie Nielsen - Community Member · Hassan Narimani - Sydney Olympic Park Authority (non-voting) · Helen Slater – State Emergency Service (non-voting) · Jazmin Van Veen -  Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water  (non-voting) · Fiona Coe –  Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water  (non-voting) · Naomi Harris - Blacktown Council (non-voting) · Frederick Thinesh – Strathfield Council (non-voting) · Heath Fayad – Strathfield Council (non-voting) · Allan Gear – NSW Public Works (guest presenter) · Eric Lin – Stantec (guest presenter) · Anthony Densten – Stantec (guest presenter) Council Staff · Jim Tsom - Supervisor Catchment Management (Convenor) · Paul Hackney – Stormwater Management Coordinator · Sarah McAskill - Local Emergency Management Officer · Paul Clark - Senior Catchment & Development Engineer
Apologies / Leave of Absence	· Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Dr Patricia Prociv (Chairperson) · Lord Mayor, Councillor Pierre Esber · Nadine Goss - Community Member · Romina Dousimon - Parramatta Chamber of Commerce · Mariah Drakoulis - Western Sydney University · David Grasby - Sydney Water (non-voting) · Shelly Stingmore – State Emergency Service (non-voting) · Herman Lok – Strathfield Council (non-voting)
Secretariat	Melissa McIsaac - Governance
HPRM Reference	F2022/01409   /   D09387519

No.	Item
	Note: In the absence of the Chairperson, Clr Patricia Prociv, the Deputy Chairperson, Clr Phil Bradley, attending via remote means, requested for the Committee to nominate an alternate Chairperson for this Floodplain Risk Management Committee Meeting (only), in accordance with Clause 4.6 of the Committee’s Terms of Reference. The Committee agreed for the Convenor, Jim Tsom, to be Chairperson for the duration of the meeting, which was accepted.
1	Acknowledgement of Country The City of Parramatta Council acknowledges the Burramattagal Clan of The Dharug Nation, the traditional owners of land of Parramatta and pays its respects to the elders past, present and emerging.
2	Apologies The Committee noted apologies from the Lord Mayor, Clr Pierre Esber, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Clr Patricia Prociv (Chairperson), and voting members Nadine Goss, Romina Dousimon, and Mariah Drakoulis. Jazmin Van Veen, observer member, announced her resignation due to a role change, and will advise Council of an appropriate replacement member to represent the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.  The Committee were advised that a quorum had not yet been reached, but determined to proceed with an informal meeting.
3	Disclosure of Interests There were no disclosures of interest for this Advisory Committee meeting. Heath Fayad joined the meeting at 6:13pm, during discussion of Item 3.
4	Confirmation of Minutes The Committee were advised that the Minutes of the previous meeting, held on 28 November 2023, could not be confirmed without a quorum. Confirmation of the November Minutes was deferred to the next Committee Meeting. Committee Members in attendance did not raise any concerns or amendments for the 28 November 2023 Minutes.
5	Adoption of the Parramatta River Flood Study
Description	The Committee received presentations from Jim Tsom, Supervisor Catchment Management, and Anthony Densten and Eric Lin on behalf of Stantec, who were engaged by Council to prepare the Parramatta River Flood Study. The Committee were advised of the modelling work undertaken to inform the draft Parramatta River Flood Study, and considered advancements in modelling and processing. The Committee noted the project milestones from 2015 to date, and the specified Study area within the Parramatta River catchment. The Committee were informed that the Study gave consideration to existing models, reports, data, and historical flood observations, and climate change and sensitivity assessments. The Committee considered an overview of the results, and were advised that the final Flood Study report and mapping, including 3D imaging, will be available for further study once endorsed by Council. The Committee raised questions regarding the scope and outcomes of the Study for clarification by the Stantec representatives. The Committee further received from Jim Tsom a presentation with an overview of the Committee’s engagement to date regarding development of the Study, and considered the outcomes of Council’s public exhibition of the Study over six weeks during September-October 2023. The Committee noted the high level of community engagement, and that the majority of submissions expressed concerns about the potential impacts of the Study findings, but did not disagree with the modelling results. The Committee were advised that the Study has undergone several independent peer reviews, and was accepted by the NSW Department of Environment and Planning as being fit for purpose. A Councillor Workshop to present the community engagement results is scheduled for 24 April, and it is intended to report the draft Study to Council for endorsement in May. The Committee were reminded that in the absence of a quorum the Committee could not move a formal recommendation, however attendees were invited to provide any individual feedback for notation. Anthony Densten left the meeting at 6:41pm due to technical difficulties, returning at 6:54pm, during discussion of Item 5. Fredrick Thinesh joined the meeting at 7:02pm but retired at 7:07pm, during discussion of Item 5.
Outcome	· Committee Members in attendance generally supported for staff to proceed with seeking Council’s adoption of the Parramatta River Flood Study, and did not raise any concerns with the Study as presented. · Staff took a question on notice from Clr Bradley to obtain further Governance advice as to whether absent Committee Members could form a quorum via email after the meeting, to formally move to recommend the Parramatta River Flood Study for adoption by Council. Heath Fayad retired from the meeting at 7:13pm, and Annie Nielsen retired at 7:15pm, at the conclusion of Item 5.
6	The role of NSW Public Works in post-flood reconstruction
Description	The Committee received a presentation from Allan Gear, Group Director Advisory & Partnerships, on behalf of NSW Public Works. The Committee were informed about NSW Public Works’ portfolio of local infrastructure projects. The Committee considered the agency’s emergency response and disaster recovery work following the 2022 North Coast floods, including removal of flood waste, delivery of temporary housing, and flood damage assessments for properties. The Committee noted specific funding initiatives, including the Water and Wastewater Recovery Program and Flood Levee Repair Program. Three levees in the local Toongabbie Creek catchment have been assessed as part of this program and will be under consideration to receive funding under the repair and betterment component.
Outcome	The Committee noted the provided briefing. Allan Gear retired from the meeting at 7:34pm, at the conclusion of Item 6.
7	A’Becketts Creek Flood Study and Flood Risk Study and Plan - public exhibition and community consultation phase
Description	The Committee received an update from Jim Tsom regarding the status and timeline for delivering the A’Becketts Creek Flood Study and Flood Risk Study and Plan. The Committee noted that the Study component is nearing completion, and that Council will next seek to undertake an in-depth community engagement process similar to that completed for the Parramatta River Flood Study. Due to the local government elections and holiday recess period, community engagement is not anticipated to be feasible until early 2025. The engagement results will be reported to a Councillor Workshop and the Committee for consideration. Anthony Densten retired from the meeting at approximately 7:40pm, during discussion of Item 7.
Outcome	The Committee noted the provided updates.
8	Haslams Creek and Wentworth Point Flood Literature Survey
Description	The Committee received a presentation from Paul Hackney, Stormwater Management Coordinator, regarding preparation of the Haslams Creek and Wentworth Point Flood Literature Survey. The Committee noted that Council is undertaking data collection before preparing a Flood Study for the catchment. Directly following completion of the Study, significant funding has been secured from a NSW State Government grant to proceed with detailed design and construction of drainage and flood mitigation works for Hill Road. The Committee considered the characteristics of the study area. The Committee were advised that it is intended to report back to the Committee on the outcomes of the literature survey at the next meeting, before preparing the draft Flood Study.
Outcome	The Committee noted the provided updates.
9	Managing frequent flooding in the Parramatta CBD
Description	The Committee received a briefing from member Angela Hansford regarding community observations of damage and debris around the Charles Street Weir, in the Parramatta CBD. Angela Hansford enquired as to whether Council is investigating any major infrastructure works in the area or other solutions to address waterflow and mitigate flooding. Jim Tsom advised the Committee about the purpose of the Weir. The Committee noted how the Weir is engineered to accommodate flooding events, including failsafe fencing to avoid the fencing creating a temporary dam. Council has also previously received grant funding to support flood cleanup. There are currently plans to remove silt from the section of river, which should improve flows. Clarification was provided that adoption of the Parramatta River Flood Study is necessary before considering flood mitigation measures as part of the Flood Risk Study and Plan, under which this matter could be investigated, and that river foreshore public domain projects may consider improvements for pedestrian bridge access in the area. Angela Hansford further raised about risks to the community, who are attending significant flood events for observation and may be taken by the river flow. The Committee discussed warning signage provision and Council’s Flood Smart System for issuing warning notifications where pathways are closed. Clr Bradley advised the Committee that Councillors have raised for investigation to identify gross pollutant traps in the area which are not operational and require maintenance. The Committee noted that the adequate operation of gross pollutant traps upstream would reduce debris and flooding. Jim Tsom confirmed that last year Council completed an audit to identify locations of concern, and that there is an ongoing program to implement the audit recommendations or undertake further investigation where required.
Outcome	· Jim Tsom agreed to confirm about the adequate provision of flood warning signage along the Parramatta River foreshore in the CBD. · Clr Bradley encouraged interested Committee Members to make submissions in support of allocating funding for repair of gross pollutant traps, during the upcoming public exhibition of Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
10	State Government update
Description	The Committee received an update from Fiona Coe on behalf of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, regarding the following matters: · The State Government agencies for environment and planning have demerged. Environment matters are now addressed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. · A new planning circular has been released, PS 24-001: Update on addressing flood risk in planning decisions. · Grant applications are now being accepted for the 2024–25 – Floodplain Management Program, with additional projects now eligible for funding under the updated guidelines.
Outcome	The Committee noted the provided updates.
11	General Business
Description	The Committee did not raise any additional matters of General Business for discussion.
12	Next Meeting Date – June 2024

Meeting closed at 8:11pm.