Catchment plan cost to be shared

BY SANDRA SIAGIAN

HURSTVILLE Council will take part in a flood management plan with Canterbury Council for the Cooks River and Wolli Creek catchments.

The suburbs of Hurstville, Kingsgrove, Beverly Hills, and about 80 per cent of Penshurst and Narwee, are part of the Cooks River and Wolli Creek catchments. The proposed study will evaluate management options and provide guidance in managing stormwater with respect to existing and proposed developments.

The estimated cost of the flood management plan is $240,000. Canterbury Council has asked for $160,000 from the state government’s Floodplain Management Program and has asked Rockdale, Marrickville, Burwood, Strathfield and Hurstville councils to fund the remaining $80,000. Each council’s estimated contribution would be based on river frontage length. Rockdale Council would be asked to pay $17,108 and Hurstville Council to pay $2263 under the proposed study.

“The council is contributing to the project to determine the impact on existing and potential properties in the event of a PMF (probable maximum flood),” Hurstville mayor Steve McMahon said. “It is important that the council is armed with all information.”

A council spokesman said a stand-alone study for the Cooks River and Wolli Creek catchments in the Hurstville government area would cost about $100,000.

St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.