Flood warning and safety infrastructure rolled out across Cessnock LGA

Published on 12 July 2024

Cessnock City Council Project Manager; Abid, Cessnock City Council Director of Works & Infrastructure; Paul McLachlan, Cessnock SES Unit Commander; Jennifer Ehmsen, Cessnock City Deputy Mayor; James Hawkins, and Cessnock City Council Community Resilience Officer; Mel, standing at an advanced warning sign at Old North Road, Rothbury

Cessnock City Council has delivered new permanent flood warning and road closure infrastructure at key areas of flood risk across the Cessnock LGA.

Flashing lights and road closure chains, along with advanced warning signage, have been installed at three high-risk locations:

• Old North Road at Black Creek, Rothbury
• Williams Bridge on Paynes Crossing Road, Wollombi
• Lovedale/Allandale Road at Anvil Creek, Allandale.

The new advance warning signs on the approaches to each of these high-risk locations alert drivers to flooding and road closures before arriving at flood impacted areas, so they can opt to turn around and avoid dangers. The signs are solar-powered and designed for use during extended flood events, and can be activated remotely via a web operating system.

A further set of warning lights and signage has also been installed on Wollombi Road, Millfield advising of flood impacts and road closures further into the Wollombi Valley.

The permanent installations will assist Council team members to respond more rapidly to storm and flooding events, and improve safety for road users and the community. Local emergency service agencies have also been provided keys to the onsite fixed and lockable chains that provide a protective barrier to flooded areas.

Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal said the new flood safety and road closure infrastructure provide clear guidance and instruction to road users, whether they are familiar with the roads or not.

"Road closures in times of flood are done with good reason. Even relatively small volumes of water over a road can sweep a vehicle away or mask structural damage beneath caused by flowing water, which is why no one should drive in flood waters," said Clr Suvaal.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Local Traffic Committee, Councillor James Hawkins said the critical infrastructure adds an important barrier to protect people from dangerous floodwater.

"These important flood warning measures and safety infrastructure will equip road users with more information about flood risk and road closure conditions, so they know what areas to avoid and can take another route," said Clr Hawkins.

This project was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW State governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

For more details on preparing for natural disasters, visit the emergency information page here.