Kiama council’s director of engineering and works Gino Belsito said the Draft Surf Beach Catchment Flood Risk Management Study and Plan proposed a number of measures to reduce flooding impacts in the catchment.

“The study found that there are 41 properties liable to flooding in area in the event of a one-in-a-hundred-year storm,” Mr Belsito said.

“It also contains a number of recommendations as to how best to reduce the risk of such a storm causing these properties to become flooded.”

Mr Belsito said the options included:

*Building a retarding basin at the top of the catchment near the Princes Highway.

*Developing a vegetation and debris management plan to reduce blockages of culverts and channels.

*Upgrading drainage on Manning Street and modifying the existing channel.

Other measures include improving community flood awareness and flood warning systems.

“We are very keen to receive submissions from residents and business owners in the affected area, as there are direct implications for them from these recommendations,” Mr Belsito said. 

“The study shows that the annual cost for owners from flood damages is around $333,000 for homes and $245,000 for commercial properties.

“Council wants to play its part in reducing the risk of home and business owners being damaged as a result of flooding.”

The Draft Surf Beach Catchment Flood Risk Management Study and Plan is on exhibition at council and available from the www.kiama.nsw.gov.au website. 

Submissions can be made until Friday, April 28.