Maclean residents gathered last week for the Know Your Levee community information night, where local agencies warned that is isn’t a matter of if the levee will breach but when.
Hosted by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW SES, Clarence Valley Council, and the New School of Arts Neighbourhood Centre, the event focused on flood preparedness, infrastructure upgrades, and the health and safety challenges facing the community during extreme weather.
Clarence Valley Council’s Manager of Technical Services, Greg Meshiah, explained that the Maclean levee, built in 1976 to a design height of 3.3 metres, narrowly prevented flooding in 2022 when the Clarence River peaked at 3.36 metres and sat above the crest for more than 25 hours. He told residents that while the levee performed as intended, the risk remains high if the town faces another prolonged flood event. Meshiah noted that the town’s sewer system relies on powered pumps, which can fail during extended power outages, potentially leading to sewage backing up into the network. He said this could occur even without the levee being breached, making early evacuation and preparedness critical.
Council is currently upgrading water pumps and drainage systems behind the levee on River Street to improve the way floodwater is managed during heavy rain. Clarence Valley will receive around $13 million from a $36 million state-funded program to support levee repairs and flood resilience projects across the Clarence Valley.
Representing the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Erin Brady said the event formed part of a regional campaign, Prepare Together Stronger Than Ever, aimed at encouraging practical preparedness across the Northern Rivers. She said a recent survey of more than 1,200 residents found that while 87 percent had experienced flooding, only one in three had taken steps to prepare. The Authority is now releasing a suite of resources, including a Clarence catchment explainer and a Maclean-specific flood video, to help residents understand local flood risks.
Brady said Maclean and Grafton are priority communities for targeted engagement, as both towns sit behind levees that can foster a false sense of security. She said the levee provides time to act, not a guarantee of safety, and emphasised the importance of having a plan in place before waters rise.
Mark McGrath from the New School of Arts Neighbourhood Centre outlined work underway to support people with higher support needs. His team is helping residents with disabilities and older community members develop person-centred emergency plans and is recruiting volunteers for a new Spontaneous Volunteer Network to assist with recovery efforts once it is safe to return.
Only around 20 residents attended the session, but organisers hope to see greater participation at future in-person events. For those who missed the night, the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s new flood information videos and resources are available online, and the team will be at Grafton Shoppingworld on November 27 with their 10-metre interactive “Big Map” flood education display.
The Maclean SES unit is now back up and running and welcomes new volunteers to join. Anyone interested can attend the unit’s fortnightly meetings held on Tuesday nights.
Brady said events like this are about helping residents understand their local risks and take action before emergencies occur. She said that while infrastructure is improving, personal preparedness remains the most important defence.
Add comment
Comments