Council praised for early action during rain events

Central Coast Council and Councillors have been applauded for taking appropriate action which resulted in less flooding around Tuggerah Lake during the recent rain events.

A Tuggerah Lakes Care (TLC) spokesperson said the group was pleased the request for urgent action at a Central Coast Council meeting and the actions of Councillors led to a defining moment that resulted in less flooding than would have otherwise been the case given all the recent rain.

As a result of that meeting, Council staff started to open The Entrance channel the next day on April 30, in a move TLC said ultimately saved many residential and business owners from what would have been even greater flooding.

The spokesperson said it was a major improvement for Council in flood risk management.

The Entrance pilot channel opening occurred on May 2 when Tuggerah Lake levels were at about 1,050mm AHD.

The next day, May 3, the level was about 950mm and continued to recede to 430mm by midday on May 8.

The second major rain event started on Sunday, May 18, when levels were about 470mm.

After a major amount of rain that saw Port Macquarie/Taree/Wingham areas experience a flood greater than 1 in100 years, the Tuggerah Lake flood peaked at 1,371mm on May 23.

“Our flood data shows that the flood peak was about 200mm less than previous rain events of this rainfall magnitude due to The Entrance channel being open earlier,” the spokesperson said. 

“This is mainly due to the pilot channel being opened back on May 2 at a level a lower trigger of 1,050mm AHD level than that which Council staff previously used to wait for at 1,300 AHD.

“In short, having an open channel expedites the flood waters, regardless of the high tides.

“Also, the fact that the pilot channel was dug before the flood waters hit the pre-determined trigger level indicates that a pilot channel can be successful at lower hydraulic head.”