The Jamberoo Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association convened a public meeting to hold an open discussion on the local flooding impacts at the Jamberoo Youth Hall on Saturday 15 June. 

It’s no secret that Jamberoo is subject to devastating flooding impacts, the most recent in April of this year. Many members of the community still vividly remember their properties becoming deluged by heavy rainfall in August 2020 that left residents to pick up the pieces. 

Kiama council commissioned a flood study after an East Coast Low delivered a severe rainfall event four years ago. The study investigated the best pathways to reduce impact on the area. Despite ongoing flooding impacts, Jamberoo residents have yet to see the outcomes of the flood study being delivered and making change in their community. 

Michael Malone, Director of Infrastructure & Liveability at Kiama Council addressed the attendees on the council’s proposal to reduce flood impacts across the region. He revealed the council has received funding to have designs drawn up for flood diversion and mitigation works along Wyalla Road, Young Street and the Jamberoo Preschool. A core concern is lack of funding for the council to expedite designing mitigation infrastructure and fund all recommendations outlined in the report.

"Council is using grant funding and some internal reserve funding to develop designs for the Bridges St catchment works in Gerringong and the two Jamberoo catchment precincts (Wyalla Rd and Jamberoo Town Centre) based on the Gerringong-Jamberoo Flood Study. Council has also been successful in attracting funding for the completion of the Jamberoo Floodplain Risk Management Study & Plan," Michael said.

The Gerringong-Jamberoo Flood Study focused on three catchment areas;

• Bridges Road (Gerringong)
• Jamberoo Town Centre
• Wyalla Road (Jamberoo)

The report highlighted the average annual flooding costs combined for all three catchments was $1,320,000. The report advised that property owners, businesses and council will be “subject to continued and significant economic impacts if the ‘status quo’ is maintained.”

Michael highlighted that council will be continuing their efforts to source funding for the recommendations outlined in the report.

"Council is applying significant resources and external funding to progress the flood studies and will be engaging consultants to develop the Risk Management Study & Plan in order to hopefully bring forward the opportunities to apply for construction funding."

The topic of installing flood markers along flood-prone roads was raised, however was described as challenging due to the risk of vehicle collision with the signage and false sense of security they may provide. Despite this, residents continue to see the damaging effects of inadequate signage and flood markers along some of the most vulnerable roads.

JVVRA contacted councils formally in November 2022 requesting Traffic Committees of Shellharbour and Kiama Councils to meet to discuss this problem and offered to forward their concerns to Transport NSW.

If you notice damage to infrastructure or a hazard in your community, use the Kiama Council report a problem page, or call 4232 0444 to report any issues.