The Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA) who are one part of the Marshalls Creek Flood Forum (MCFF) called a meeting on Monday, 16 February at the Ocean Shores Country Club to discuss one of the proposed options, ocean openings, put forward for assessment by the MCFF.
‘While the focus was only on one of the options, it is also the most contentious. Particularly because the favoured site is in the middle of the Billinudgel Nature Reserve,’ said MCFF member Catherine Lane following the meeting.
‘Other measures put forward by the MCFF include: diminishing rock walls at Readings Bay, other dredging options, detention of flood water upstream of Billinudgel and adequate budgeting for effective ongoing maintenance of levees, drains, culverts and flapvalves.
State government decision
‘If the pros and cons of these strategies can be properly evaluated and costed with the help of hydrologists, engineers, and ecologists then there will be an opportunity to enhance and support Council’s efforts to secure funding to get the best outcome for the community.’
Speaking to The Echo, hydrologist and member of the MCFF, Duncan Dey said, ‘Flood-prone communities need the full range of options and mechanisms to be investigated. And that is what happens under state-funded floodplain studies. Council is clamouring to get that started. Community support will make it happen.’
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