The grants included $160,000 for a total flood warning system construction for the Wollombi Valley.

The proposed project involves the installation and commissioning of a total flood warning system to alert residents, visitors and local emergency services to flood threats in Wollombi.

Grants of $33,333 each will go towards concept designs for flood warning systems for Black Creek at Cessnock, and Swamp Creek at Abermain and Weston.

The funds were provided by the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management grant program.

Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent welcomed the much-needed funding and the opportunity to partner with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage as part of the Floodplain Management Program.

“When we have high rain events in our beautiful part of the Hunter Valley, the risk of flooding is very real, which many people in our community have experienced first-hand,” Cr Pynsent said.

“These projects will go a long way to improving services and building resilience in the communities of Cessnock, Abermain, Weston and Wollombi and more importantly, to reduce the personal risk of being caught in or isolated by flood water.

“We look forward to working closely with the OEH and State Emergency Services and being in a better position to prepare and respond to local flood emergencies.”

This grant program supports councils, which hold the role of managing their communities’ flood risk, to undertake priority projects to assess the risks and provide increased levels of flood protection in NSW.

“This funding helps reduce the impacts of flooding on communities,” Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said.

“We want to help councils protect residents and their properties from the impact of flooding.”