On the 24th of February, 2022, local Oak Road resident, Adam Lock was swept away in flood waters while crossing one of the drainage dips in Oak Road. Adam was an experienced driver and was in a four wheel drive. He had plenty of experience crossing flood waters in Oak Road and was not known to take unnecessary risks. In the past, he had used his four wheel drive to help other residents cross the food waters.

Adam's vehicle was not the only one swept off the road that evening.

Since his tragic death, residents have reported that recent flooding is unprecedented. The dips are known to flood at high tide, with the water level in Brisbane Water holding back drainage until the tide lowers, but more recently residents have noticed flooding at low tide. This significantly changes the way flood waters behave, increasing the speed and the force with which they cross the drainage dips.

In addition to the loss of life and property, flooding isolates residents from work, school and social activities. It also prevents emergency service vehicles, including police and ambulance, from reaching residents on the other side of the flooding.

This public meeting has been called by Oak Road resident, Kym Broughton to provide all Oak Road residents with the opportunity to discuss the impact of the flooding and possible solutions with local government representatives. State Local Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, has confirmed his attendance and Council will send a representative. Federal Local Member, Emma McBride, has also been invited.

The meeting will be facilitated by Matcham resident, Meg McGowan.

FORMAT

Residents will be asked to provide their insights into the following:

1. How does the flooding impact residents, particularly those on the other side of the drainage dips?

2. What would you like to see happen?

We will be asking everyone to stay on topic and to limit responses to a maximum total of two minutes so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to speak. Please note that the scope of this meeting is limited to the Oak Road drainage dips. While we recognise that flooding throughout our area is an ongoing issue this forum seeks specifically to address the ongoing risks and disruptions to those in Oak Road.

Government representatives will be asked to respond to the following questions:

1. If a development proposal was submitted for Oak Road today, including plans for more than 120 residences, do you think that the existing drainage dips would be considered an appropriate way to deal with flooding?

2. What solutions are you able to offer or recommend to Oak Road residents.

The meeting will start at 7.00pm and conclude no later than 9.00pm.

We will need help to set up and pack up. Those wanting to help with setting up the hall, please arrive at 6.30pm. Those helping with packing up can expect to leave no later than 9.30pm.

PARKING

Please park on the roadway unless you are part of the organising group, or you have a disability that makes navigating the walk up from the road difficult.

COVID SAFETY

Please comply with all government guidelines regarding COVID safety. Do not attend if you have symptoms or are in isolation following a positive test. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks when not speaking and to maintain social distancing where possible.