Floodplain Management Program

The following organisations are eligible to apply:

• local councils
• county councils
• other government bodies with equivalent flood risk management responsibilities to local councils (e.g. Lord Howe Island Board, Hunter Local Land Services).

Local councils can also work together in a group, provided that

• one council is the lead agency in terms of signing of the funding agreement, managing monies and reporting on the project
• a relevant Joint Organisation applies for and manages the funding.

Generally, the highest priority will be given to:

• flood studies or flood risk management studies and plans (or reviews) where existing communities are exposed to flood risk, but this risk is not fully understood or managed, or with significant development pressures
• the next stage of a mitigation work that is integral to a stage in progress; for example, the next stage of a levee project or works to offset the impacts from a levee project being constructed
• mitigation works that are identified as a high priority in flood risk management plans adopted by councils.

Stage 1 

Flood study (including data collection).

Stage 2

Prepare or review a flood risk management study and plan.*

Undertake a review of a range of flood risk management plans consistent with Section 4.6 the Flood risk management manual (2023).

Undertake strategic flood risk management activities consistent with Table 2 of the Flood risk management manual (2023) to inform council’s integrated planning and reporting framework, land-use planning and support NSW State Emergency Service emergency management planning.

Produce updated information using existing flood model results across a number of study areas to support management of flood risk consistent with the Flood risk management manual (2023) and toolkit.

Stage 3

Investigation, design and/or feasibility study (where required) for works and new flood warning systems identified in a flood risk management plan.* This stage must be undertaken for all new flood warning systems and for works projects that are likely to exceed a total implementation cost of $500,000 ex GST.

Stage 4

Implementing actions identified in a flood risk management plan* (noting projects must have completed the requirements of Stage 3 where applicable), this includes but is not limited to:

• structural works such as levees, detention basins, floodgates and flow conveyance improvements (if these are extensive works requiring a high level of funding, they should be broken into stages)
• flood warning systems (it is mandatory that investigation and design of flood warning systems is undertaken prior to implementation of the system)
• evacuation management
• upgrades of flood assets that have reached the end of their design life
• voluntary house raising (further information on the eligibility criteria and implementation of voluntary house raising is available in the Floodplain Management Program Guidelines for voluntary house raising schemes)

_{* All reports, datasets and design and work as executed plans collected or created in the development of any flood project completed under this program must be submitted to the NSW Flood Data Portal before acquitting the project.}

Guidelines for applicants 2024–25

Voluntary purchase (further information on the eligibility criteria and implementation of voluntary purchase projects is available in the Floodplain Management Program Guidelines (PDF 1014.28KB) for voluntary purchase schemes).

Funding will not be provided for:

• GST – the project cost is to exclude GST.
• Retrospective projects – funding is not available for activities currently underway, completed or contractually committed to prior to the awarding of grants to successful applicants or prior to approval of the project work plan.
• Administration costs – unless otherwise approved in writing by the department, all internal costs (including on-costs) associated with the core activities of the applicant are ineligible for funding. An applicant’s core activities include preparing study briefs, reviewing proposals and tenders, researching and copying records, attending meetings, contract and grant administration, accounting costs, staff costs associated with liaising with the public and with government agencies. Costs related to the education of residents via mailouts, workshops or other methods will be funded where those costs are deemed to be reasonable and well justified.
• Project management costs – unless specifically approved at the time of application.
• Non-monetary contributions as matching funds – an applicant’s matching funds must be in the form of monetary contributions from council revenue and cannot include in-kind, voluntary contributions or funding from other parties.
• The financial co-contribution required for projects funded through other NSW or Commonwealth programs.
• Contingencies – should not be included in the application or work plan.
• Projects the applicant can reasonably be expected to undertake without financial assistance from the program, such as local drainage works.
• Maintenance of assets or replacement of assets that have not been appropriately maintained.
• Additional funding of more than 30% of the original amount awarded after commencing the project.
• Road warning signage to address a traffic management issue (note that road warning signage can be funded if it is an important element of broader flood mitigation works).
• Data management within council systems.