Managing flood risk in the Wollongong City catchment

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Consultation has concluded

We’re working with the community and other stakeholders to better manage flood risks in the Wollongong City catchment area.

We’ve prepared a draft Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. This study and plan look at how flooding affects people, their property and land, infrastructure like roads and stormwater pipes, and public spaces likes parks and recreation areas. It identifies flood risks and looks at what we can do to reduce and manage those risks.

The Wollongong City catchment area includes Wollongong, Mangerton, Coniston and Mount Saint Thomas.


Overview of the study and plan

The draft Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan outlines the potential risks and impacts of floods and recommends practical ways to reduce current and future flood risks. These findings will help us to guide future planning and development in this area.

As part of this study, we’ve identified some options (or measures) to help in managing flood risk across the catchment area.

Flood Modification Measures

These are built structures that help to control floodwater and reduce impact on public and private assets. They can also help our drains and culverts to keep free from blockage during big storms. Examples include culvert upgrades and regrading of roads.

Response Modification Measures

These help our community better prepare for and respond to floods by improving awareness and communication. Examples include emergency plans, flood warnings, and community education.

Property Modification Measures

These involve change/addition of flood planning controls for future developments (buildings, roads and others) to ensure that land uses are compatible with flood risk. It can also include voluntary house raising.


You can learn more about this Study and Plan by

You can visit Wollongong City Library to view printed copies of all the material.

We've also got lots of information and resources on things like creek maintenance, stormwater maintenance and flooding information. Look at the Important Links to find out more. You can also watch some short videos about flooding in Wollongong.


Share your thoughts by:

You can also drop into our Let's Talk Wollongong session on Wednesday 24 September 2025 anytime between 3:30-5:30pm. No bookings necessary.

Feedback is open from 22 September to 3 November 2025.

Your input will help shape the final plan and guide future flood management in your community.

Please note, any submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.


We’re working with the community and other stakeholders to better manage flood risks in the Wollongong City catchment area.

We’ve prepared a draft Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. This study and plan look at how flooding affects people, their property and land, infrastructure like roads and stormwater pipes, and public spaces likes parks and recreation areas. It identifies flood risks and looks at what we can do to reduce and manage those risks.

The Wollongong City catchment area includes Wollongong, Mangerton, Coniston and Mount Saint Thomas.


Overview of the study and plan

The draft Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan outlines the potential risks and impacts of floods and recommends practical ways to reduce current and future flood risks. These findings will help us to guide future planning and development in this area.

As part of this study, we’ve identified some options (or measures) to help in managing flood risk across the catchment area.

Flood Modification Measures

These are built structures that help to control floodwater and reduce impact on public and private assets. They can also help our drains and culverts to keep free from blockage during big storms. Examples include culvert upgrades and regrading of roads.

Response Modification Measures

These help our community better prepare for and respond to floods by improving awareness and communication. Examples include emergency plans, flood warnings, and community education.

Property Modification Measures

These involve change/addition of flood planning controls for future developments (buildings, roads and others) to ensure that land uses are compatible with flood risk. It can also include voluntary house raising.


You can learn more about this Study and Plan by

You can visit Wollongong City Library to view printed copies of all the material.

We've also got lots of information and resources on things like creek maintenance, stormwater maintenance and flooding information. Look at the Important Links to find out more. You can also watch some short videos about flooding in Wollongong.


Share your thoughts by:

You can also drop into our Let's Talk Wollongong session on Wednesday 24 September 2025 anytime between 3:30-5:30pm. No bookings necessary.

Feedback is open from 22 September to 3 November 2025.

Your input will help shape the final plan and guide future flood management in your community.

Please note, any submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.


Consultation has concluded

  • Engagement Summary

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    Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan engagement.

    Council has heard from the community over several years to inform and develop this current Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. The engagement results from the previous studies provided a good foundation for the current study to understand flooding problems and prepare plans accordingly.

    Ongoing and continuous engagement occurs through existing data collection such as collecting customer feedback, liaising directly with residents, reviewing technical and community-sourced flood data.

    This year, we invited the community to share their thoughts on the flood mitigation measures identified as part of the Study and Plan.

    The feedback we received will allow Council to better understand specific areas of concern for this community and support the progression of flood mitigation works for this catchment area.

    Engagement Participation Numbers

    Between 22 September and 3 November 2025:


    444 visits to the online engagement page

    6 online surveys completed


    9 emails


    22 face to face conversations


    Summary of Feedback

    A high-level summary of the key themes received through the feedback received are below:

    Infrastructure and maintenance - calls for renewal and routine maintenance of ageing drainage and stormwater infrastructure, improved pipe capacity.

    Vegetation management - mixed views regarding vegetation management with some suggesting removal of trees that created debris causing blockages; others advocate maintaining canopy and deep-rooted trees for water absorption. Coordination of vegetation clearance was suggested.

    Planning - concerns about increased development without integrated flood mitigation; suggestions included stronger development controls, pausing development, and adopting a holistic approach.

    Education and awareness - support for ongoing education to residents on actions to reduce flood risk, such as clearing gutters and managing debris.

    Flood Planning Area identification - concerns about property inclusion in flood zones, modelling accuracy, and impacts on property value and insurance. Suggestions included to improve the wording on the 10.7 certificate to include information about severity of flooding or remove isolated shallow - depth flooding from the flood map.


    Next steps

    All feedback heard from the community is now being considered by the project team and consultants. All responses will be reviewed in detail so that recommendations can be made for before finalising the Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

    Feedback is important and is one factor of the decision-making process for Council. There are a whole range of things that are important in how we make a decision. The graphic shows some of the factors we consider in our decision making:

    Keep an eye on the Our Wollongong page for project updates.


    Tell us how we did

    We’d love to know what you thought about your experience when you engaged with us. Tell us how we did by completing this form. You can also email us at engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call 4227 7111.


    Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan engagement.

    Council has heard from the community over several years to inform and develop this current Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. The engagement results from the previous studies provided a good foundation for the current study to understand flooding problems and prepare plans accordingly.

    Ongoing and continuous engagement occurs through existing data collection such as collecting customer feedback, liaising directly with residents, reviewing technical and community-sourced flood data.

    This year, we invited the community to share their thoughts on the flood mitigation measures identified as part of the Study and Plan.

    The feedback we received will allow Council to better understand specific areas of concern for this community and support the progression of flood mitigation works for this catchment area.

    Engagement Participation Numbers

    Between 22 September and 3 November 2025:


    444 visits to the online engagement page

    6 online surveys completed


    9 emails


    22 face to face conversations


    Summary of Feedback

    A high-level summary of the key themes received through the feedback received are below:

    Infrastructure and maintenance - calls for renewal and routine maintenance of ageing drainage and stormwater infrastructure, improved pipe capacity.

    Vegetation management - mixed views regarding vegetation management with some suggesting removal of trees that created debris causing blockages; others advocate maintaining canopy and deep-rooted trees for water absorption. Coordination of vegetation clearance was suggested.

    Planning - concerns about increased development without integrated flood mitigation; suggestions included stronger development controls, pausing development, and adopting a holistic approach.

    Education and awareness - support for ongoing education to residents on actions to reduce flood risk, such as clearing gutters and managing debris.

    Flood Planning Area identification - concerns about property inclusion in flood zones, modelling accuracy, and impacts on property value and insurance. Suggestions included to improve the wording on the 10.7 certificate to include information about severity of flooding or remove isolated shallow - depth flooding from the flood map.


    Next steps

    All feedback heard from the community is now being considered by the project team and consultants. All responses will be reviewed in detail so that recommendations can be made for before finalising the Wollongong City Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

    Feedback is important and is one factor of the decision-making process for Council. There are a whole range of things that are important in how we make a decision. The graphic shows some of the factors we consider in our decision making:

    Keep an eye on the Our Wollongong page for project updates.


    Tell us how we did

    We’d love to know what you thought about your experience when you engaged with us. Tell us how we did by completing this form. You can also email us at engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call 4227 7111.


    Consultation has concluded