- 103 households in Darwin will face reduced impact from flooding
- Rapid Creek Catchment caused flood maps to be updated
The Northern Territory Government has notified 103 households in the Rapid Creek catchment area that their properties will face reduced exposure to flooding.
This comes as a result of updating flood mapping which was updated as a result of work being undertaken at the stormwater detention basin within the Rapid Creek Catchment.
Along with other flood mitigation measures, the new detention basin has meant 45 downstream properties are no longer on the Rapid Creek flood map.
In addition to this, a further 58 properties are no longer on the Darwin Storm Surge primary extent map.
Under the Rapid Creek Flood Response Overlay, application fees will be waived for a planning scheme amendment. The Territory Government says this will reduce administrative and financial burdens associated with rezoning.
Additionally, they hope this will encourage landowners in flood-impacted areas to redevelop land to reduce their risk of flood and storm surge.
Eva Lawler, the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, said that the new basin and other measures have significantly reduced the impact of flooding in the northern Darwin suburbs.
“Following the delivery of the Marrara Detention Basin, our modelling has seen a reduced number of properties impacted by flooding in the Rapid Creek catchment area. Traditionally these properties used to suffer the impacts of heavy rain combined with high tides, which caused floodwater to back up into the creek and flood low-lying properties.
“The new flood-mapping overlay provides increased confidence to residents living in the Rapid Creek catchment area.”
Eva Lawler, Minister for Infrastructure
Joel Bowden, the Local Member for Johnston, echoed Ms Lawler’s remarks, especially given the high volume of rain experienced in Territory’s tropical capital city.
“Residents in Millner needed a flood mitigation solution, the stormwater detention basin near the Airport is providing greater certainty during the wet season – this is a positive for the Johnston community.”
Joel Bowden, Member for Johnston
