Kiama Council has been given another $1 million in State and Federal disaster relief funding, in addition to the $1 million it was awarded after the March weather event.

While Council still has much to do clearing up damage from these storm events, CEO Jane Stroud is keen to try and use some of the money to take proactive steps to improve the situation.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the NSW and Federal Governments for the injection of funding they have given us, and we want to get the most value out of it,” she says.

“We have these recurrent issues every time it rains.

“We need to get strategic about the ones that are really impacting the most and work out what are our longer term plans are to fix them.

“Only then can we be shovel ready, which is the major requirement to apply for grant funding.”

In this year’s budget, Council only has $40,000 set aside for flood related work, and that is for detailed design and drawings to implement the Jamberoo and Gerringong flood study.

Ms Stroud says that some of the new money may be used to accelerate the implemention of these measures.

“We need a similar plan for all the other areas, both the coastal management zone and the rest of our flood prone areas, so that we can work out the best solutions.”

The fragility of our East/West connections is at top of mind, with Jamberoo Mountain Road again out of action for months. Sixty metres has totally failed due to a landslip and flood waters eroding the base and fracturing the tarmac.

“It is a huge problem that needs a solution,” says Ms Stroud.

However the focus on the effects of flooding would be wide ranging and include issues such as the scouring of beaches, dealing with beach debris and drainage at sportsfields, parks and Kiama Cemetery.

Landslip on Jamberoo Mountain Rd

“The impact of Spring Creek floods on residents in that area, and users of the childcare centres there and in Jamberoo are high priorities for me,” says Ms Stroud.

“We need to do the work now so we can get funding for the solutions, as it is only going to get worse.”

She says her experience working in a drought declared LGA has prepared her for what needs to be done.

“We received both Federal and State injections of funds to cope with the emergency by undertaking works to major public infrastructure.

“In this scenario, it is going to be for roads and community infrastructure.”

Ms Stroud is keen to hear more from the people regularly impacted by flooding, including the farming community.