A few short weeks ago, the Bureau of Meteorology advised in its long-range forecast overview, that rainfall is likely to be below average in parts of the south-west, the east, and much of the north of Australia.

Fast-forward to last week, and parts of the Mid-North Coast have seen record rainfall and resultant devastating floods.

In Taree, more than 500mm of rain has fallen in the past week – more than five times the monthly average.

In the region, more than 500 properties have been declared uninhabitable as the clean-up begins for the more 10,000 homes and businesses that have been affected by this latest weather event.

Tragically, five people have lost their lives.

Closer to home, we were not spared the impacts of last week’s deluge with Swamp Road and Macquarie Pass closed due to localised flood waters.

And while not directly related to flooding, the inclement weather contributed to our newly re-elected Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, having a very unfortunate encounter with a kangaroo while driving on Forest Road. Members of Parliament, 1, Australian mascots, 0.

It was this time last year where our community was hit hard by the 2024 autumn storms along the east coast of the state.

Kiama received more than one and a half times the average autumn rainfall in 2024. And who can forget 2022 where we had the most rainfall in our community since records began around 1913.

While The Bugle does not seek to wade into the climate wars, it does seem like these wild weather events are becoming more and more prevalent.

Just this week, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted damaging winds in the region, and who knows what is in store for us for the rest of autumn and into winter (despite what the long-range forecast says).

With a lot of planned growth on the horizon, we need to make sure that the planning decisions we make do not inadvertently put more people in harm’s way.

Last year, the Dido Street subdivision was effectively struck out by Kiama Council and the Southern Region Planning Panel due to flood and evacuation risk – the Dido Street Bridge goes underwater during some flood events, meaning the existing and future residents would be cut off from emergency services or escaping the flood waters.

Council noted that this has happened four times in the last two decades.

Interestingly, the Dido Street Bridge also services Glenbrook Drive – the location of the five housing lots that Council owns but is unable to sell due to a State Government caveat.

Does this mean that development proposals for these five lots also might be rejected?

While we need to address housing supply and affordability to ensure our community continues to prosper, this needs to be balanced with increasing instances of wild weather and flooding.

The Bugle’s View is that when weighing up these decisions, we need to be mindful of what matters most.