Flooding

Large parts of the City of Parramatta are susceptible to flash flooding. In fact, the Parramatta CBD is the most flash flood affected major CBD in NSW.

Flash flooding occurs in a matter of hours and can lead to rapid rises in water level.

This can have a range of significant impacts including:

• Inundation of homes, businesses and properties
• Unsafe conditions for driving or pedestrian activity
• Potential for unwanted pollution events.

Even small flash-flooding events can cause significant damage and disruption.

Managing the City’s current and future flood risk is a joint responsibility between Council, other government agencies and the community.

On this website section, you can:

• Check river and rainfall gauge levels
• Know the flood risk which is relevant to your property
• Be prepared for a flood
• Understand flood land-use planning processes, guidelines and regulations
• Discover Council’s flood studies and study investigations
• Learn about Council’s work to plan for, and respond to, floods.

See also frequently asked questions about flooding issues.

Council’s flood management program

For most people who live through a flood, normal life is put on hold. Homes and businesses are damaged. Services such as clean water and electricity use are disrupted.

In the worst possible flood, up to 25% of the City of Parramatta could be covered in floodwaters.

Council has a forward program to minimise the impact of flooding on the community. This program is listed below:

• Drainage works, maintenance and upgrades are undertaken to manage local overland flooding
• Developing a Local Government Area-wide flood model for the Parramatta River to help us understand flood risk and make effective planning decisions
• Updating our Flood Risk Management Plans in accordance with NSW Government regulations
• FloodSmart Parramatta service provides our community and emergency responders with real-time flood information
• Maintain a range of flood detection and defence structures aimed at reducing flood risk
• Undertaken a flood evacuation assessment for the Parramatta CBD
• Coordinating a Floodplain Risk Management Committee, to review all flood planning and projects across the Council area, by following the floodplain risk management process as identified by NSW Government
• Completed the Parramatta River Flood study and Floodplain Risk Management Plan, including mainstream and overland flows
• Develop community engagement and awareness on how to identify and respond to flood risks
• Work with partners including NSW State Emergency Service, Sydney Water, Bureau of Meteorology and Local Lands Services around flood emergency management
• Update the planning controls to appropriately manage flood risks as the City grows
• Continue to coordinate the Parramatta River Floodplain Risk Management Committee and process.

Video

This video helps explain Council’s flood planning and management program.