Mayoral Update - Flood Recovery

Published on 07 February 2023

It has been 12 weeks since the devastating flood event that hit the Cabonne Local Government Area.

The sheer scope of the floods means we are yet to fully realise the long-term impacts on the environment, the economy, and the health and well-being of our communities.

In the last weeks, a number of activities have taken place in the Cabonne LGA, including:

• $4.2 million from the NSW Government's Regional and Local Road Repair Program to undertake priority maintenance works and immediate repair to road networks, which have been significantly impacted by severe flooding, storm damage and persistent wet weather events during 2022.

• The Pods on Private Property Program will provide a modular home known as a ‘pod’ on private property for up to two years, as medium-term housing for eligible flood-affected residents in the Cabonne Shire.

• The Damage Assessment Program provides eligible flood-affected homeowners in Cabonne with access to general assessments by NSW Public Works to determine if their home is repairable and access demolition services.

• Council has engaged consultants to undertake a review and update of the Molong Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. A questionnaire is being made available to all Molong residents, seeking information on their experience of historic flooding dating back to the flood of March 1956.

• Reopening of the Eugowra Swimming Pool.

• $1million from the NSW Government to build a new Rural Fire Station in Eugowra.

• Commissioning of the new SES trained Community Action Team in Cudal.

• Council’s road crews working with Transport for NSW on flood maintenance.

Cabonne Council has also been working with the impacted communities to understand the needs, and ways in which Council can support recovery.

In conjunction with our communities, Council has identified a number of key priorities for our communities, which are focused on building back a better Cabonne. These priorities are flood recovery, mitigation and response; transport infrastructure; and community infrastructure.

On behalf of our communities, I am actively lobbying both NSW and Federal Governments for funding for;

• Flood and drainage studies for Eugowra, Canowindra and Cudal.
• Flood recovery business package to assist Cabonne businesses in better preparing for future flood events.
• Environment recovery package for weed management, and the restoration of impacted riverbanks and waterways.
• Extension of the Molong Rail Bridge to increase waterway capacity and hazard reduction.
• Extension of the voluntary purchase scheme across Cabonne.
• More resilient and reliable road upgrades and repairs for roads and bridges impacted by natural disasters.
• Flood safe recreation area for Molong.
• Mobile blackspot funding to improve connectivity across the region – including at Obley, Lewis Ponds, Ophir, Cargo, Belgravia, Bocobra, Baldry and Byng.
• Activation of the Eugowra CBD, Sportsground and Memorial Park.
• Improvements to Cargo Road including; shoulder repairs and drainage, vegetation management and table drain reinstatement, widening of road corridor, and culvert replacement.
• Rebuilding of the Nyrang Creek Bridge between Canowindra and Eugowra, and replacement of the Mandagery Bridge in Eugowra.
• New footpath and pedestrian bridges in Molong, Mullion Creek, Cargo, Cudal, Cumnock, Eugowra, Manildra and Canowindra.
• Rebuilding of a new Eugowra

Cabonne Council will continue to work with, and advocate on behalf of our communities to understand how to build the community’s long-term resilience to disaster through improving community infrastructure and public assets to ensure our region is socially sustainable, now and in the future.

Your Councillors recognise that providing clear and accountable leadership will be essential in supporting directly and indirectly impacted Cabonne communities through the recovery process over the coming years.

Cabonne Council Mayor, Cr Kevin Beatty