Expression of Interest
We are inviting members of the community to apply to be community representatives on our Flood Risk Management Committee. Community representatives will :
- Review and provide advice on our flood risk management studies and plans,
- Attend quarterly meetings in Council's Administration Building in Sutherland and represent views of local residents and businesses.
Applications close 5:00pm Sunday 8 December 2024 and roles will commence in February / March 2025.
As a community representative, you’ll work with experts and government officials to make sure the views of local residents and business owners are represented. The Committee will review and provide independent advice and feedback to Council regarding the following aspects of the Flood Risk Management:
- hydrologic and hydraulic model development
- model calibration and validation
- design flood behaviour
- examining flood, catchment and climate changes
- examining existing Flood Risk Management measures
- examining flood behaviour under potential FRM measures
- understanding uncertainty in flood behaviour and model limitations
- understanding consequences and risk of flooding for the community
- managing risks to the existing and growing community
- engagement and communication with community stakeholders
- emergency management planning
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- be a resident or owner of land within Sutherland Shire Council area; or a person entitled to vote in Sutherland Shire Council area under the Local Government Act,
- have an interest in, or lived experience of, flooding and knowledge of local catchments (you don’t need to be an expert),
- be willing to attend and contribute to the Committee meetings, held at least four times per year,
- demonstrate a professional and ethical approach and be able to devote the necessary time to the work of the Committee,
- work with stakeholders and technical experts in a collaborative and professional manner.
Preference will be for one representative from each of the six waterway catchments, to represent the full range of potential flood risk and experience within Sutherland Shire:
- Botany Bay
- Georges River
- Hacking River
- Pacific Ocean (Bate Bay)
- Port Hacking
- Woronora River
You will be expected to understand and follow our Code of Conduct for Council Committee Members, Delegates of Council and Council Advisers.
You are ineligible to be a committee member if you:
- have been employed by Sutherland Shire Council or a joint organisation in the past 12 months; or
- have a close personal or business relationship with a Sutherland Shire Councillor or a person who has a senior role at Sutherland Shire Council that may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest; or
- are currently providing, or in the past 3 years have provided, any material goods or services – including consultancy, legal, internal audit or advisory services – to Sutherland Shire Council which directly affect subjects or issues considered by the Committee; or
- are employed in any role that may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest.
About the role
Term
We will appoint community representatives for up to a four-year term, and we may reappoint for one further term. The total period of continuous membership cannot exceed eight years.
We will advise successful applicants no later than 20 December 2024, with your role to commence early 2025.
Meeting frequency
The Committee meets at least four times a year, or if significant unexpected issues arise, we will call additional meetings. Meetings will be held at Council’s Administration Building in Sutherland on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
As a community representatives, you are expected to read and review documents provided before each meeting.
Membership
To ensure independent advice and input into matters relating to its responsibilities, the Committee will comprise of:
- Two Councillors
- Director Infrastructure
- Senior Manager Assets, Strategy and Delivery
- Strategic Asset Manager
- Waterways Project Manager
- Senior Waterways Engineer
- Local Emergency Management Officer
- NSW Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Biodiversity Conservation and Science (DCCEEW - BCS) representatives
- NSW State Emergency Service representative
- Up to 6 community representatives.
Training & Support
We will provide induction training to assist you as a new community representative and offer ongoing support during your term of appointment.
Remuneration
This is a voluntary position, there is no remuneration.
How to apply
- Review the Committee terms of reference and eligibility.
- Contact us with any questions you have on 02 9710 0233 or email SecretaryShireInfrastructure@ssc.nsw.gov.au
Apply online to be a community representative for our Flood Risk Management Committee
Reference material:
- Flood Risk Management Manual
The Flood Risk Management Manual and the Flood Prone Land Policy guide local government in understanding and managing flood risk in their communities. - NSW Government Department of Environment and Heritage Flood risk management toolkit
The flood risk management toolkit provides extra support for councils to understand and manage flood risk. - Sutherland Shire Council Catchment Boundaries. SSC-Drainage-Catchments-A0.pdf