The Hewitts Creek flood study has been reviewed by consultants BMT WBM, to correct surveying errors and adaptions from technological improvements.

But the revised study will soon be obsolete, as the council has employed another consultant to review its flood blockage policy – a review which is likely to mean several existing flood studies need to be done again.

The original Hewitts Creek study cost $352,837, and the review cost another $102,570. 

The blockage policy review is costing about $180,000, and the revision of the existing flood studies will also be expensive. Two-thirds of the cost of most of this work is met by the State Government through grants.

A council spokeswoman said even though the reviewed study may be reviewed again, adopting of the reviewed study would have benefits for the council.

Benefits for the council include updating relevant 149 Certificate codes, updating the flood planning levels, and preparing grant submissions for the next step.

This involves a review of the floodplain risk management study and plan for Hewitts Creek. And this management plan would itself need to be reviewed once the blockage review is complete.

“Any amendments to the blockage policy resulting from the review currently underway, will be taken into account when reviewing flood models as the first part of preparing the floodplain risk management study and plan,” the council spokeswoman said.

One councillor has already told a resident the reviewed Hewitts Creek study “would be adopted” by council. Councillors received a private briefing on the review on October 26.

The spokeswoman said decisions on whether to accept the review were not made at the briefing.