Lake Macquarie History

History of Flooding in Lake Macquarie City LMCC flood study risk and study reports

Floodplains are areas of primary environmental significance and their wellbeing is essential to the survival of many ecosystems. Flooding within the City of Lake Macquarie occurs in and around the major and minor streams that outlet into Lake Macquarie waterway (the Lake). Flooding also occurs on low lying land adjacent to parts of Lake Macquarie waterway.

Scroll down for links to flood photographs arranged by suburb. Links to completed flood studies are on the right side of this web page.

Link to Lake Macquarie City Council's free Property Flooding Information Summary Tool for information about the flood hazard for a specific property within the Lake Macquarie local government area.

Property Flooding Information Summary Tool

Link to the Floodplain site on Council's main web page for development enquiries or general flood information

Floodplain Management

The major stream (catchment) systems in the City and the localities affected include Dora Creek (Martinsville, Morisset, Cooranbong, Dora Creek township), Upper and Lower Cockle Creek (Wakefield, West Wallsend, Holmesville, Barnsley, Edgeworth, Glendale, Argenton, Boolaroo, Speers Point), Stony Creek (Toronto, Blackalls Park), Winding Creek (Hillsborough, Cardiff, Glendale), North Creek (Warners Bay), South Creek (Warners Bay), LT Creek (Fassifern), Sheppards Creek (Valentine) and Jewells Wetland inclusive of Scrubby Creek, Crokers Creek, Johnsons Creek, Dicks Creek, Freshwater Creek (Mount Hutton, Windale, Bennetts Green, Gateshead, Jewells, Redhead). Parts of the low lying suburbs of Swansea, Pelican, Marks Point and Belmont South are affected by flooding from Lake Macquarie waterway. Other smaller systems are also subject to localised flooding.

As at June 2016, approximately 18,613 designated flood planning area properties are potentially affected by flooding (high and low hazard). Knowledge relating to the extent, depth and velocity of floodwaters is generally derived from historical flood records and completed flood studies.

Significant flood events in the City, not limited, include: Cooranbong 1927/1962/1977; Dora Creek 1977, 1989, 1990, 2015; Toronto/Blackalls/Edgeworth 1981; Cardiff/Barnsley/Glendale/Boolaroo 1981, 1990 and 2007 and the Lake 1949 and 2007 and 2015, as well as the entire City inclusive of the Lake waterway in 2007

The aim of Council is to reduce the impacts of flooding and flood liability on individual owners, businesses and occupiers of flood prone property, and to reduce private and public losses resulting from floods. Flood data and historic flood photos are available for most major events in Lake Macquarie City (Council GIS database and website, historic maps, flood studies/plans)

Council has adopted a strategic management approach to floodplains, assisted by the principles and guidelines outlined in the NSW Floodplain Development Manual, April 2005. Council has an active Coastal Zone Management Committee, that develops and implements flood studies and risk management studies/plans to help minimise the risk of flooding in the city

Flood Photos by suburb

Flood photos of Argenton

Flood photos of Awaba

Flood photos of Balcolyn

Flood photos of Balmoral

Flood photos of Belmont

Flood photos of Blackalls Park

Flood photos of Boolaroo

Flood photos of Cardiff

Flood photos of Caves Beach

Flood photos of Cockle Creek

Flood photos of Pirrita Island (formerly known as Coon Island)

Flood photos of Cooranbong

Flood photos of Dora Creek

Flood photos of Mandalong

Flood photos of Marks Point

Flood photos of Martinsville

Flood photos of Pelican

Flood photos of Rathmines

Flood photos of Speers Point

Flood photos of Swansea

Flood photos of Teralba

Flood photos of Toronto

Flood photos of Valentine

Flood photos of Wangi

Acknowledgement of Country

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Council acknowledges traditional custodians throughout Australia. We commit to listening deeply to and collaborating with First Peoples in our work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website and Council's cultural collections may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

This website may contain place names, opinions and terms that reflect authors' views or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded. These may not be considered appropriate today.

If you experience any issues with the website or its content please contact us [email protected]