State Emergency Services State Emergency Services can help out in all manner of disasters particularly storms, floods and road accidents. Safety information for prevention and also during disasters is readily available. http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au NSW Rural Fire Service The NSW Rural Fire Service provides information on community safety, fire restrictions, volunteering to be a firefighter and changes to bushfire protection legislation. http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au NSW Fire Brigade The NSW Fire Brigade is there to assist in urban fires. For information on home and commercial safety tips, fire investigation and research and educational tools. http://www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au NSW Police Service NSW Police Service provides information on the prevention and reporting of crime, latest news, road safety tips, recruiting and other services. http://www.police.nsw.gov.au NSW Ambulance Service NSW Ambulance Service provides information on community education, services and recruitment. http://www.asnsw.health.nsw.gov.au Back to Top Preparing for Bushfires There are simple steps that members of the Hawkesbury community can do to their properties in areas that are at risk of bush fire. The Rural Fire Service recommends: - Tie a white flag at the front of your property if you have a water source such as a dam or a bore that is accessible by fire trucks, open gates and mark trails through properties in case the fire does approach.
- Move livestock to home paddocks
- Clear long, dry grass, dead leaves and thick undergrowth from around your home
- Clear gutters
- Remove flammable items from around your house- woodpile, paper, boxes and garden/household fuel such as petrol or paints
- Heavy duty hoses connected to taps
- Torches if power goes out
- Fill bathtub or water containers in case of power cuts
- Battery operated radio to listen to updates if power goes out
- Well watered lawns can act as fire breaks
- Cotton long sleeve shirts and pants, leather gloves and leather shoes are appropriate clothing if a fire does approach your home
- Prepare a family evacuation plan just in case
- Who can look after you children or pets?
- What documents do you need to take with you? Eg. Insurance papers
Listen to local Radio station 89.9FM
2VTRFM is continually briefed by Fire Control in these emergency situations This radio station will give information on public meetings and evacuations during bushfire season. Back to Top Fire Safety Fact Sheets Back to Top Hawkesbury City Council Flooding FAQ's What is the flooding standard?
The generally accepted flooding standard applied in NSW for planning purposes is the 1 in 100 year or 1% flood frequency level. Higher floods than the 1 in 100 have occurred in the past and may occur in the future. What does 1 in 100 year mean?
The 1 in 100 year level is a probability measure which means that there is a 1 in 100 or 1% chance in any one year of a flood occurring at that level. It does not mean that the land will flood only once every 100 years. On the contrary, there may be a number of 1 in 100 year floods in the same year. Is my property flood affected?
You can view contour plans at Council, which will give you a general idea of whether your land is likely to flood. A zoning certificate supplied by Council will tell you whether your property is likely to be affected. What is the flood level at my property?
Flood levels are measured by Australian Height Datum (AHD). AHD is a vertical distance measured above a specific point located in Sydney. AHD 0 is approximate sea level. The 1 in 100 level at Windsor, for example, is 17.3metres AHD. The 1 in 100 level varies within the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment. To accurately determine the level, you will need a registered surveyor to prepare a survey plan to identify spot heights on your land. You may then enquire at Council to determine which, if any, flood frequency affects the land. Can I do extensions?
Generally, if your house was built on flood affected land before 30 June 1997 with Council approval you may apply for extensions or alterations. You will need Council approval and in some cases you may have to raise the floor level of the extensions. Can I fill the land?
In some cases filling may be allowed, subject to strict conditions. However, if your property is too low, filling is not permitted. Will the level change in the future?
Flooding levels are determined by data from previous floods and hydraulic modelling. The actual levels may vary over time. You must contact Council to establish the level for your area. What does the PMF mean?
PMF stands for the Probable Maximum Flood. The frequency or chance of this flood occurring has been estimated to be 1 in 100,000 chance in any one year. At Windsor the PMF is estimated to be 26mAHD. If the house down the road can do it, why can't I?
Hawkesbury City Council has a policy which applies to development on flood affected land. Applications are considered in accordance with this policy and the merits of each individual case. Council staff are happy to discuss your proposal with you and determine whether it is achievable. But the real estate agent said that it could be done?
Sometimes we only hear what we want to. This is especially so if it involves the family home. If you are purchasing land you should make your own enquiries with Council. Sometimes it may be difficult for Council staff to give verbal advice but you can write to Council with a specific question if you need to. Back to Top Are you Floodsafe?Several community workshops have been held in the Hawkesbury to give residents practical information and skills on how to keep safe when flooding occurs. The SES has developed or is in the process of developing a range of communication tools which are helpful for residents(information regarding these will be on their website or available through the call centre): - a Hawkesbury brochure regarding flooding
- a large display to take to Councils, shows etc.
- local newspaper articles
- newspaper advertisements
- internet site
- call centre
- Riverways Magazine
- promotional material for children
- Flood Safe signage for roads and evacuation routes
- community information workshops, forums and training packages
- competitions
- Resources for Non English Speaking Background (NESB) growers
- Information for Isolated householders
- Rural organisation workshops
- FloodSafe Video
- Mobile display unit/caravan
- school programs and resource kits
- householder kits "My Flood Book" and cards for the fridge etc
For this information and more, visit the SES FloodSafe website at:
www.floodsafe.nsw.gov.au or ring the hotline 1800 6 FLOOD (1800 635 663). For information on the Communication Campaign, ring Council's Public Relations Officer on 02 4560 4430. For information on flooding in the Hawkesbury speak to our Environment and Development Department on 02 4560 4565. Top of Document | 
