IN THE wake of major flooding across the Macleay in March - a series of local forums will be run by the SES to get feedback from the community.
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The sessions will be run at Kempsey, Smithtown and Stuarts Point.
Floodwaters inundated properties, closed and damaged infrastructure, disrupted essential services and isolated communities across the Mid North Coast.
The flood forums aim to gather community feedback on the record rain and flood event and to identify opportunities for the NSW SES to partner with residents and businesses to improve local flood preparation, response and transition to recovery arrangements.
The first of the forums will be on May 11 for residents and businesses on Port Macquarie's Northside - and will be followed by gatherings across the coast including three events in the Macleay.
NSW SES volunteers across the Mid North Coast responded to 3182 calls for emergency flood and storm assistance from March 12-27. These included 660 flood rescues, 178 flood isolation resupply jobs and 60 emergency medical transportations as parts of the Hastings and Manning catchments saw one-in-100-year flood levels.
"The forums will focus on learning the lessons from this major event so that we can better prepare for, respond to and cope with future flood events," NSW SES Zone Commander Chief Superintendent Stephen Patterson said.
"The forums will be facilitated by an independent facilitator. After the forum participants will receive a written report summarising community feedback. The forum report will then provide a starting point to discuss the types of activities and programs that are needed to consolidate and increase community resilience."
When and where
Thursday, May 20: Smithtown Bowling Club 7pm
Tuesday, June 22: Kempsey Macleay RSL Club 7pm
Wednesday, June 30: Stuarts Point Hall 7pm.
For more information on the forums call NSW SES Community Capability Officer, Steve Lawrence on 0404 828-494.
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