More than 12 months after Wollongong was struck by one of the worst floods in decades, the city is currently without flood committees to provide important advice to Council about the future risk of major flood events.

Historically, Wollongong City Council has had three flood risk committees, covering the north, south and the centre of the local government area (LGA). They give advice to Council on the preparation and implementation of flood management plans for catchments in the LGA.

Wollongong's three Floodplain Risk Management Committees last met more than 13 months ago and were not reconvened following the devastating 6 April 2024 flood that caused millions of dollars damage to the city. One of the flood risk committees, covering Wollongong's southern suburbs, hasn't met for well over two years.

Council disbands each committee when the council term ends. That occurred in October last year

Flooding listed as a high priority

The new Council includes a Lord Mayor and a number of councillors who, when elected, included managing Wollongong's high flood risk as among their highest priorities.

Earlier this month Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown appeared on a special SBS program Insight to discuss the growing issue of homes being too expensive to insure due to natural disasters like flooding.

Cr Brown said "it was heartbreaking to hear these individuals tell their stories" and "the ongoing impact the event had on their lives."

"I had been invited to participate in the program due to Wollongong City Council's established voluntary purchase scheme which was set up after the 1998 floods. Since 1998, the voluntary purchase scheme has seen 86 properties purchased and then demolished. We've a further 58 properties listed on a priority list for purchase should the owners decide to do so. 

"When we take this step, we're able to have more open space that supports the movement of stormwater during a heavy rain event.

"While this is just one area where Council is working to improve flood resilience within the city, it's an important one. By moving people away from high-risk flood areas, we're able to keep people safer during a storm event," the Lord Mayor said.

The most recent purchases occurred last year when two flood-affected properties in Lake Heights were bought by Council.

Councillors were given a 'closed and confidential' briefing

When asked by The Illawarra Flame, given the serious flood risk facing Wollongong, why new flood committees have not been established, in a written response Council said: "Council resolved to request a combined meeting of the Wollongong flood risk management committees in the new term of Council so they could receive an update on responses to the April 2024 flood event. 

"The resolution also requested a briefing be delivered to councillors early in the new term. A comprehensive councillor induction, which included the flood risk management Council undertakes across the LGA, was conducted in February.

When The Illawarra Flame requested a copy or details of the briefing councillors received in February related to the April 2024 flood event, we were told the councillor briefings "are closed and confidential so we can't provide this information".

Community representatives can apply for committee membership

In the past fortnight, Council has advertised for committee members to join three new flood risk management committees. 

As well as representatives from Council and state government departments, the committees include up to two representatives of flood-affected landholders, up to two members of flood action groups or neighbourhood forums, representatives of relevant industry bodies and one representative of environmental groups. Nominations for the committees close on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.

In a statement Council said: "There will be a combined induction for the three flood risk management committees once the committees are appointed. Applications for flood committee positions will be reviewed by an assessment panel who will apply the criteria outlined on Council's website.

"As chair of the Illawarra and Southern Highlands Regional Recovery Committee, Wollongong City Council works closely with other levels of government to secure greater support for local governments in the wake of natural disasters.

"Council continues to deliver over $10 million worth of recovery works, with some single sites exceeding $1.5 million, to get our community back on its feet."

Footnote: according to Council's website, the most recent meeting of the southern flood risk management committee took place on 15 February 2023, the northern flood committee last met on 6 December 2023, and the last meeting of the central flood committee took place on 3 April 2024