Eugowra locals are celebrating long-awaited news that a levee bank will be constructed to divert waters from Puzzle Flat Creek.
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Cabonne Council this week announced the construction of the $2.3 million levee: with $1.56 million from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage's Flood management Program and $800,000 from the council.
Cabonne Mayor Keven Beatty welcomed the government grant, saying it was the culmination of a long and passionate campaign by the community, particularly life-long resident Bruce Noble.
"This work will complete the Puzzle Flat Creek levee, helping to retain flood water within the channel of the creek and divert it around the town," he said.
"It comes after a number of studies over the past decade, including a flood plain management review, floodwater modelling by experts, geotechnical evaluations and extensive design work."
Mr Noble, who met with Cr Beatty, the new council general manager Brad Byrnes and others at Eugowra Showground on Tuesday morning, was delighted with the announcement.
His involvement with the issue of flooding in Eastern Eugowra, from the hills east of Eugowra, dates back decades. Mr Noble was a member of the Soil Conservation Service when property owners funded contour banks, detention structures, drop structures and levees in the catchment.
He explained that a section of railway line and embankment was removed to allow flood water to flow in its natural course to Leaders Lagoon and under Gooloogong Road.
That work was completed in 1992 and Mr Noble has continued campaigning since then.
He hopes construction of the levee bank announced Tuesday will allow lifting of the floodplain listing under the Local Environmental Plan.
That listing impacts both the insurance premiums of current residents and development of further properties, another resident of the affected area, Bob Roach, said.
Locals present at Tuesday's announcement wished to clarify that the low-level flooding from Puzzle Creek Flat is a completely separate issue to flooding from Mandagery Creek, which affects the centre of the town starting with the western side.
PICTURED: On the front page are Bob Roach, Ray Agustin, Judy Smith, Mayor Kevin Beatty, Sean Haynes, Bruce Noble, Kevin Townsend, Max Swift, Council General Manager Brad Byrnes and Janet Noble.