A NSW Government website

Plans and
programs

Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme

The scheme was built to protect life and property from the impacts of flooding to the Hunter community.

About the scheme

The Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme is designed to mitigate flood risk as an integrated system operating across multiple local government areas, covering urban, peri-urban and rural areas. Today the scheme provides a level of benefit for over 250,000 people in the Hunter Valley. The scheme management has transitioned from a traditional approach to infrastructure construction, to a holistic approach to floodplain management and disaster risk reduction implemented by best practice asset management systems.

How the flood mitigation scheme works:

  • The scheme provides protection for people, property and infrastructure.
  • Levees and controlled floodways protect rural areas and major towns from minor to moderate flooding.
  • Maitland floodways divert major flows in a controlled manner around the city.
  • Levees provide a reduction in flood damages to towns in moderate to major floods and rural lands in minor floods.
  • Channels and floodgates allow the removal of floodwaters from farming land over time, reducing negative impacts on local landholders.

Contact us

General enquiries

Phone: 1300 081 047 (business hours) or send us a message.

The Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme is a well-designed and maintained state owned engineering work, which affords significant protection from flooding to community and commercial interests.

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More about the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme

Flood management

Information on flood response and recovery.

Upcoming major projects

Learn more about upcoming Hunter Valley Mitigation Scheme major projects.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

Aboriginal people have occupied the Hunter Valley for tens of thousands of years. Culturally important heritage sites, places and landscapes on Country being an essential part of their identity.

Planning and development controls

Information on local flood planning, development and responsibilities.

Funding and management

The Department of Planning and Environment provides funding for and manages capital works and maintenance of the structures that make up the flood mitigation scheme.