The proposed levee would not have significantly impacted the May 2025 flood.

The levee would have been overtopped during the May 2025 event due to the extreme flood levels. This means floodwaters would have flowed over the top of the levee, providing little or no protection to the community.

In 2020, a Floodplain Management Study and Plan was completed for the Manning River. This study considered numerous Floodplain Risk Management actions and identified a levee to protect the Taree central business district, situated between Commerce and Victoria Street, as a potential option for this location.

A levee for Taree central business district was then further investigated in this feasibility study to determine if various types of levees would provide flood benefits to the central business district.

The feasibility study assessed the benefit a levee would provide for various types of flood events (both high intensity–short duration events and low intensity–long duration events). Various types of levees were examined and the impact of various types of levees on both high-intensity and low-intensity flood events was assessed.

The impact of various levees on the environment, local community, and heritage was also considered. It was determined that the construction of the levee would be costly, as pumping would be required, and the benefits were not significant to either commercial or residential properties.

We are currently implementing actions identified in the Council adopted Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plans, to reduce the risk and impact of flooding across the MidCoast Local Government Area (LGA). In addition, we have invested more than $2 million in stormwater upgrades over the past five years, to reduce the impact of frequent flooding across the MidCoast LGA and the impact on businesses and residences.

Flooding can be:

• high streamflow caused by an overflow from a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam,
• major excess of drainage before entering a watercourse,
• coastal inundation resulting from elevated sea levels and/or waves going over coastline defences.

In the MidCoast, there are three main types of flooding:

• Flash flooding - is the most common type of flooding affecting the Taree central business district. It is caused by heavy rainfall that exceeds the capacity of the drainage network resulting in flooding that happens quickly and with little warning.
• River flooding - caused by heavy rainfall in rivers that causes high water levels to spill into nearby floodplains.
• Coastal Flooding - caused by coastal storms that result in elevated ocean water levels, severe winds, and large waves.

The Taree central business district is affected by both flooding from the Manning River and flash flooding from rainfall on the local catchment creating flows that are in excess of the local drainage capacity. Both types of flooding can occur together.

During flash flood events it can be difficult to provide effective warning as the water levels rise quickly. Decisions between evacuation and shelter in place may be required at short notice. Flooding from the Manning River typically has longer warning times, allowing businesses and residents to prepare their property and consider evacuation.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is the lead emergency management agency during floods. Our role during a flood is to assist emergency management departments such as the SES, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police.

Visit the SES website for further information on how to be better prepared for a flood event.

To assess your flood risk and understand flooding and stormwater management in the MidCoast please see Flood Management Studies and Plans