A long-term Londonderry resident is calling on his community to have their say regarding the Draft Rickabys Creek Catchment Flood Study while it is on public exhibition.
The flood study provides analysis of the local flood behaviours within the Rickabys Creek Catchment, which includes detailed flood maps, sets flood levels and describes the Flood Planning area.
Londonderry resident of over 60 years Alan Ginns wrote to Penrith City Council expressing his concern over the wording within the report, after it changed the classification of his land from experiencing overland flow to overland flooding.
“In all this time, it’s always been that we suffer from overland waterflow. As of February, this year, it is now classified as overland flooding,” Ginns said.
This study covers parts of Agnes Banks, Londonderry, Castlereagh, the western side of Berkshire Park, the northern side of Cranebrook and a small part of Llandilo.
The purpose of the study is to better understand local overland flood behaviour, including how it interacts with flooding from the Nepean River.
It also aims to identify flood-prone areas and guide future flood risk management planning.
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the study is a key step in Council’s efforts to strengthen the City’s preparedness for future flood events.
“Understanding how flooding behaves in our local area is essential to protecting our community,” Carney said.
“We’re encouraging residents to review the draft study and share their local knowledge. Your feedback will help shape how we manage flood risks and improve safety across the catchment.”
A community information session will be held from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, July 30 at the Andromeda Community Centre, Cranebrook.
A presentation by the study’s consultant will begin at 6.30pm, with Council staff and consultants available throughout the session to answer questions and provide further information.
While not opposed to the flood study, Ginns is encouraging residents who live in the areas identified in the study to go to the meeting and have their say.
“I think the main purpose of this is to try to make people in this area realise, that in the letters they would have received, this is now classified as a flood area. We’ve never flooded, and I don’t think we ever will flood,” Ginns said.
“People who don’t flood need to understand and at least put in a submission to this before it gets adopted by Council, which there’s a meeting on the 30th at the Andromeda Community Hall where people can view it and ask questions but I strongly urge people to write letters because if your property doesn’t flood, now is the time to get something done about it.”
Residents can view the draft study and provide feedback by visiting http://www.yoursaypenrith.com.au/RickabysCkfs.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.