Lismore City Council has unveiled its revised disaster resilience plan to help the city better prepare for future flood events.
The Revised Flood Prone Lands Development Control Plan (DCP) takes a risk-based approach to planning and developing in flood-prone areas in the Lismore Local Government Area and applies to new developments that require a development application.
The proposal outlines the rules for building on flood-prone areas, including which types of development are acceptable or not. It also lists the requirements, such as minimum floor levels, flood-compatible materials, and structural soundness.
“The DCP doesn't impact upon any existing development, but it sets the controls for how and where we build in the future,” said Lismore City Council Coordinator of Strategic Planning Andy Parks. “Given that the climate is changing, we need to plan for more frequent and more severe flood events.
“The DCP sets out new risk precincts that will ensure our planning controls prohibit inappropriate development while allowing new businesses and new housing to occur in a way and in places that are suitable.”
The city council is seeking feedback on changes, with submission open until 4pm on July 17.
The Lismore City Council is considering raising the flood planning level, which determines the minimum height habitable floors must be built for new homes, and for major works like house raising.
The council has invested in an online flood planning portal, allowing the community to find flood information related to their properties, including flood heights and depth under a range of flood events. Flood certificates detailing relevant flood information can be automatically generated and sent via email to save time and money.
The Lismore City Council will hold community consultation sessions at the Living Lab at 11 Woodlark Street on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 1pm and 4pm on June 21, 27, and 28 and July 04, 05, 11, and 12. The sessions will also be held at the Saturday morning Farmers Market at the Lismore Showgrounds between 8.30am and 11am on June 24 and July 08.
Last year, the Lismore City Council released a discussion paper presenting recommendations to help Lismore, New South Wales (NSW) “build back better” following the catastrophic flooding in February and March 2022.
