Planning for the Woronora River Flood Study

Understanding how flooding occurs and where it’s most likely to happen helps Council plan for safer, more resilient communities.

Sutherland Shire Council has received funding through the NSW State Floodplain Management Program, managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), to carry out a flood investigation of the Woronora River.

Council has engaged HydroSpatial Pty Ltd to prepare the Woronora River Flood Study. The aim of this study is to better understand and reduce the impacts of river flooding on communities, landowners and residents in flood-prone areas of Woronora, Deepwater Estate, Shackels Estate and Bonnet Bay.

This type of flooding occurs when a river or creek overflows its banks, spreading across the surrounding area. It is usually caused by prolonged or widespread rainfall across a catchment, but can also result from short, intense storms if conditions are right. While less common, riverine flooding can also be caused by debris blockages, dam releases, or levee failures, but these are not primary causes.

The study will help Council plan for, respond to, and manage flooding in the area—protecting people, property and the environment. It will update the 1991 Woronora River Flood Study and inform a new Woronora River Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, which will replace the current 1995 version.

Read the FAQs on this page for more information and explanations of key terms.

Have your say

As part of this early data collection stage of the flood risk management process, Council is gathering information about local catchment conditions and past riverine flooding events.

We are asking residents to share their experiences of flooding and their views on how impacts could be reduced in these areas. Your input will help improve our understanding of flooding and guide future planning.

Please share your experiences and general feedback on local river flooding by 5pm on Friday 19 December 2025:

Hard copies of the survey are available on request by emailing info@hydrospatial.com.au or calling 02 9710 0333.

Community information sessions

You are invited to attend our community information (drop-in) sessions to ask questions and share your information directly with the team.

Sessions will be held:
  • Wednesday 3 December 2025, between 5:00pm – 7:00pm at ‘The Hangar’ Bonnet Bay Football Club at Lakewood City Reserve.
  • Wednesday 10 December 2025, between 3:30pm – 5:30pm at Woronora River RSL.
Next steps

Community feedback received during this consultation will be reviewed and considered as we finalise the flood study report.

The draft study is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027, before being presented to the elected Council for endorsement to proceed to public exhibition. We will keep our community updated as the project progresses.

Understanding how flooding occurs and where it’s most likely to happen helps Council plan for safer, more resilient communities.

Sutherland Shire Council has received funding through the NSW State Floodplain Management Program, managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), to carry out a flood investigation of the Woronora River.

Council has engaged HydroSpatial Pty Ltd to prepare the Woronora River Flood Study. The aim of this study is to better understand and reduce the impacts of river flooding on communities, landowners and residents in flood-prone areas of Woronora, Deepwater Estate, Shackels Estate and Bonnet Bay.

This type of flooding occurs when a river or creek overflows its banks, spreading across the surrounding area. It is usually caused by prolonged or widespread rainfall across a catchment, but can also result from short, intense storms if conditions are right. While less common, riverine flooding can also be caused by debris blockages, dam releases, or levee failures, but these are not primary causes.

The study will help Council plan for, respond to, and manage flooding in the area—protecting people, property and the environment. It will update the 1991 Woronora River Flood Study and inform a new Woronora River Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, which will replace the current 1995 version.

Read the FAQs on this page for more information and explanations of key terms.

Have your say

As part of this early data collection stage of the flood risk management process, Council is gathering information about local catchment conditions and past riverine flooding events.

We are asking residents to share their experiences of flooding and their views on how impacts could be reduced in these areas. Your input will help improve our understanding of flooding and guide future planning.

Please share your experiences and general feedback on local river flooding by 5pm on Friday 19 December 2025:

Hard copies of the survey are available on request by emailing info@hydrospatial.com.au or calling 02 9710 0333.

Community information sessions

You are invited to attend our community information (drop-in) sessions to ask questions and share your information directly with the team.

Sessions will be held:
  • Wednesday 3 December 2025, between 5:00pm – 7:00pm at ‘The Hangar’ Bonnet Bay Football Club at Lakewood City Reserve.
  • Wednesday 10 December 2025, between 3:30pm – 5:30pm at Woronora River RSL.
Next steps

Community feedback received during this consultation will be reviewed and considered as we finalise the flood study report.

The draft study is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027, before being presented to the elected Council for endorsement to proceed to public exhibition. We will keep our community updated as the project progresses.

Page last updated: 08 Dec 2025, 03:06 PM