Clarence Town Flood Study

The Clarence Town Flood Study is a comprehensive investigation into flooding behaviour across Clarence Town and its surrounding catchments. It uses modern modelling techniques to map flood extents, depths, velocities and hazards, replacing older and inconsistent studies currently in use.

Clarence Town has experienced historical flooding, and existing flood information is fragmented and outdated. The new study provides a reliable, single source of truth to support safer development, inform planning certificates, improve emergency response, and guide future land-use decisions consistent with the Clarence Town Structure Plan.

The study is jointly funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and Dungog Shire Council through the NSW Floodplain Management Program. 

The study covers the entire Clarence Town Structure Plan catchment, including tributaries such as Stony-Wallaroo Creek, Boatfall-Flaggy Creek, and Cherry Gully. This provides much broader, more accurate coverage than previous flood data held by Council.

Earlier in 2025, Council undertook a targeted mail-out to more than 1,000 Clarence Town and surrounding catchment landowners, and invited community members to submit information on past flood events vis a community survey. Fifty submissions were received, including photos and video.

This local knowledge helped calibrate and validate the flood model. 

The study provides essential information for:

• issuing accurate Section 10.7 Planning Certificates
• assessing development applications
• identifying flood-affected land
• planning emergency response and access routes
• informing future floodplain risk management strategies

It will also reduce the need for individual site-specific flood studies during development assessments.

Yes. The study includes modelling of future flood conditions using climate change projections consistent with NSW Government guidance. This helps ensure future developments and emergency plans are resilient to emerging risks.

Not immediately. The study does not itself change planning controls. However, once adopted, its findings will be used to inform planning certificates and guide how development applications are assessed. Any potential future changes to controls (e.g., flood planning levels) would be considered during subsequent floodplain risk management planning.

The Draft Clarence Town Flood Study will be on public exhibition from 12 January to 1 March 2026. During this period, residents can review the study online or at Council’s offices, attend a  drop-in session in Clarence Town, and make a submission via email, online form, or in writing. Council strongly encourages community feedback prior to the study being adopted by Council.

Council will review all submissions and prepare a post-exhibition report. If appropriate, amendments will be made before the final study is presented to Council for adoption. The study must be finalised by 30 June 2026 under the funding agreement.

Council cannot advise on individual insurance premiums, as insurers use their own risk assessments. However, access to more accurate flood information can help insurers better understand risk, and in some cases may improve accuracy where previous data was limited or outdated.

All documents, maps and supporting material will be available on Council’s website during the exhibition period. Council’s Planning & Environment team will also be available to answer questions, including at the community engagement session in Clarence Town.

On completion of the public exhibition (1 March 2026), Council will:

- review all community feedback received during the consultation period and finalise the Flood Study by incorporating relevant aspects of the resident submissions as applicable.

- prepare a report to Council in April 2026 outlining all community feedback received and any updates required to the study and recommending that the study proceed to   formal adoption.