PlanSA has announced public consultation was now open on the Flooding Hazards Mapping Update Code Amendment – the first step in the wider project to introduce new and updated flood hazard mapping into SA’s Planning and Design Code.
According to PlanSA it is important for the Code to correctly identify areas likely to flood in order to minimise potential impacts to people, property, infrastructure, and the natural environment.
It said the Code’s planning policies were aimed at restricting new development in high-risk flood areas and encourage suitable design responses in lower risk areas.
The policies are applied in the Code via ‘overlays’.
“The Flooding Hazards Mapping Update Code Amendment is focused exclusively on the ‘Hazards (Flooding – Evidence Required) Overlay’ in the Code,” the planning and development system said.
It said the Code Amendment proposed to reduce the extent of hazards in 12 local government areas and several outback areas and apply the hazards to a portion of the Port Adelaide Enfield Council area as a precaution where the level of flood hazard had not been determined.
“This Code Amendment is the first step in a three-stage Flood Hazard Mapping and Assessment Project being undertaken to deliver more consistent and contemporary mapping of riverine and flash flood hazards across South Australia,” PlanSA said.
It said the Project would involve using new technology to deliver updated flood studies and modelling which would cover a range of flood events and consider the impact of both climate change and future development to 2050.
“The final stage of the project, which is expected to go on public consultation later this year, will involve the introduction of new flood mapping across the entire State,” PlanSA said.
Information on having a say on the proposed Code Amendment can be accessed at this PS News link and to learn more about the Flood Hazard Mapping and Assessment Project click on this link.
PlanSA said public consultation would be open until 14 April.
