Thirroul resident John Pirrie. Picture: DAVE TEASE
A Wollongong council committee created to tackle flooding issues at Thirroul has not met in the two years since it was formed.
The council called for community members to join the Hewitts Creek catchment floodplain management committee in April 2010, advising that successful applicants would join representatives from state government agencies and the council to review a floodplain risk management plan compiled for the area in 2002.
However, committee member and Thirroul resident John Pirrie said yesterday the group was yet to have its first meeting.
"I'm angry and I'm frustrated," Mr Pirrie said. "I've been pushing for us to meet and trying to get [the council] to fix a date, but we've had nothing."
Mr Pirrie said he wanted to see major flood mitigation works recommended as part of the 2002 study be completed.
The council's infrastructure director, Peter Kofod, confirmed that the committee had not met, blaming factors beyond the council's control for the delay.
"It was planned to commence the review of this catchment [flood plan] at the time these community representatives were selected [in 2010]," Mr Kofod said.
"[But] the major infrastructure works at Bulli undertaken by the RMS generated the need to reassess the scope and approach to this review ... resulting in a delay in commencing this catchment review."
Mr Kofod said a committee meeting had been tentatively set for November 7.
When asked if the council considered the two-year delay to be normal for such committees, Mr Kofod said preparing major flood studies was complex and involved input from several stakeholders.
The council agreed last month to pay engineering firm BMT WBM $92,800 to review the 2002 Hewitts Creek flood study and consider if infrastructure changes at the bottom of Bulli Pass would impact on the flow of water in Woodlands Creek during heavy rain.
It is understood the committee will be given the results of the review for discussion.
The Hewitts Creek study incorporates Slacky, Tramway, Woodlands and Thomas Gibson creeks.