Black Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan

About the Process for Managing Flood Risk

We have many areas across the Cessnock Local Government Area that are exposed to flood risk. We're committed to using the latest data and insights to inform our planning, resilience and responses to natural disasters. We understand our community is best placed to work together with us in improving our knowledge of flood impacts on the LGA.

As part of this work, each catchment area in Cessnock will have a Flood Study then a Plan developed to reduce the impact of flooding. The final step for each catchment is a document called a Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP).

The Study and Plan are developed following the NSW Government's guidance in the Flood Risk Management Manual 2023.

The FRMSP is developed in the following order:

1. Flood Study – investigates how flood waters are likely to behave or move through the catchment.
2. Floodplain Risk Management Study – This study builds on the flood study findings to look at how flooding will affect the community. It also considers different options to reduce flood risk.
3. Floodplain Risk Management Plan – This plan includes the actions and guidelines to be implemented to manage flood risk in the catchment.

About the Black Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

The previous flood study for Black Creek has now been updated using the latest data from the Bureau of Meteorology and in accordance with the most recent Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) guidelines.

The previous Black Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan was prepared for flood behaviour in the Black Creek Catchment by Cardno (NSW/ACT) Pty Ltd.

The updated Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for Black Creek is now in final draft and has been developed in line with the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual 2023. The flood study report, Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, as well as flood extent data for various flood events is included here in Important Documents.

The final draft of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMSP) is now available for public exhibition and comment.

The purpose of this Black Creek FRMSP is to identify and assess options to reduce flood risk in the area of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury, North Rothbury, Keinbah, and Nulkaba relating to the Black Creek Catchment.

The project commenced in 2023 with a public exhibition period held to gather community feedback. The previous engagement has been incorporated into the final draft on exhibition.

Important Documents

Click on the links below to view the important documents that relate to this project

• Draft Black Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study
• Draft Black Creek Floodplain Risk Management Plan
• Draft Black Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study - Appendices

Project Area

The area that this plan applies to is approximately 194 km2 and generally encompasses the entire catchment of Black Creek, from Lomas Lane (north of Nulkaba) to the Hunter Expressway at Branxton. This includes the suburbs of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury, North Rothbury, Nulkaba, Keinbah and surrounds.

Important Questions