Background

The Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme (HVFMS) is an integrated system designed to protect life, property and infrastructure by mitigating flood risk across the Hunter River catchment.

Under the scheme, levees and floodways protect rural areas and major towns from flooding by diverting major flows in a controlled manner.

Operating across multiple local government areas, and covering urban, peri-urban and rural areas, the scheme benefits more than 250,000 people across the Hunter region.

Our role

Following significant flood events across the catchment in 2021 and 2022, NSW Public Works (NSWPW) were engaged by DCCEEW to assess the damage to HVFMS infrastructure and property.

NSWPW undertook comprehensive assessments of the riverbanks and levees, identifying critical flood-damage and making recommendations for immediate repairs, as well as proposing future maintenance works across the scheme.

Upon completion of the assessments, DCCEEW engaged NSWPW to provide planning, investigation, design, procurement and construction management services for immediate repairs to critically damaged riverbanks and levees.

Outcomes

NSWPW has played a crucial role in the management of the HVFMS, providing urgent repairs, improvements and ongoing maintenance to critical flood mitigation infrastructure.

Following significant flood events across the catchment, the timely advice and comprehensive project management services provided by NSWPW ensured that urgent repairs could be completed within a short period of time. This also ensures that the region is equipped to withstand any future severe weather events.

NSWPW will work closely with DCCEEW on future capital works programs within the catchment.