community - 2026-08-21

Council defers Middle Harbour Flood Study after residents challenge mapping

Source: manlyobserver.com.au

Northern Beaches Council has deferred adoption of the Middle Harbour Flood Study after residents raised concerns about the accuracy of its modelling and the way affected property owners were notified. Councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night, 18 August, to extend consultation, re-notify owners and fund up to 100 site visits before the study returns for consideration.

Northern Beaches Council has deferred adoption of the Middle Harbour Flood Study after residents raised concerns about the accuracy of its modelling and the way affected property owners were notified. Councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night, 18 August, to extend consultation, re-notify owners and fund up to 100 site visits before the study returns for consideration. The decision followed sustained opposition from residents in Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Killarney Heights, Forestville and Davidson. The Forest Flood Alliance, which represents residents across those suburbs, asked councillors not to adopt the study and presented a petition carrying 537 signatures. Applause broke out in the public gallery when the deferral was approved. The study covers about 2,600 hectares across Davidson, Forestville, Killarney Heights and parts of Belrose and Frenchs Forest. It is the first formal flood assessment for most of the area. Its modelling identified 718 properties within the Flood Planning Area, which represents land expected to flood in a one-in-100-year event, and 1,439 properties within the Probable Maximum Flood zone, representing the worst flood considered possible at a...