Commercial development rejected after modelling shows one-metre flood waters
Port Stephens Council staff recommend refusing a mixed-use development. Modelling shows it would flood in most one-in-20-year flood events.
Vanreid Industries wants to demolish buildings on Carmichael Street in Raymond Terrace and build a food-and-drink drive-through, rural supplies store, warehouse, and three offices. Council development services manager Ryan Falkenmire recommends refusing the application.
Modelling shows the food premises would flood in most one-in-20-year flood events. More than a metre of water is expected in a one-in-100-year flood event.
The council found other problems too. The applicant did not address traffic impacts.
They did not provide a land contamination survey. They submitted no earthworks plan despite needing to import more than 2000 cubic metres of fill.
The council says it cannot guarantee evacuation procedures would be safe. The decision goes to council Tuesday night.
- one-in-20-year event
- Flood frequency
- more than one metre
- Water depth in worst case
- more than 2000 cubic metres
- Fill material needed
- 2 to 8 Carmichael Street, Raymond Terrace
- Site location
Why it mattersThis development puts staff and customers at serious flood risk. Approving it would set a dangerous example for coastal planning decisions.
AustraliaNSW coastal communities face growing flood risk from climate change; this local decision signals councils are tightening rules on vulnerable developments.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
