The Byron Shire has recently experienced widespread flooding, in particular the north Byron villages of New Brighton, Billinudgel, Ocean Shores and South Golden Beach. Byron Shire Council engaged JB Pacific to review previous flood studies, flood risk management plans, estuary and coastal studies and all the flood management options to consider their merit in providing flood mitigation to the local communities.
Our review identified several different mitigation options that have previously been overlooked based on the historic understanding of flood risk, but may now be suitable for review given the recent 2022 flood damages. This review has been undertaken in conjunction with Community and Stakeholder meetings, and workshops with Council planners and engineers. Possible flood risk mitigation measures include levees, dune openings, stormwater drainage upgrades and channel diversions, voluntary resumptions, planning scheme amendments and flood planning levels, to forecasting, flood warning and community education programs.
