Researchers from the CSIRO have started aerial surveys as they collect crucial data to help decide on mitigation options in NSW's flood-prone Northern Rivers.
A plane equipped with 3D laser scanning Lidar technology will this week capture high resolution measurements in the Tweed.
Project director Chris Chilcott said the survey would move through seven flood-affected local government areas in the Northern Rivers over the next three months.
"At some point in time, there will be a plane going over nearly all parts of the catchments," Dr Chilcott said.
Scientists are also using sonar technology to collect high resolution data on flood-prone rivers and tributaries.
"It's a fancy depth sensor," Dr Chilcott said.
"It details a cross-section of the river, allowing a very detailed understanding of the channel of the river and the water movements within it."
All options on the table
About 260 flood mitigation proposals are being considered by CSIRO as part of the $11.2 million Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative.
Dr Chilcott said the aim was to use high-quality flood modelling data gathered during the survey work and then test various mitigation options.
"By saying what happens if we put in a particular engineering solution… the result of that will be a reduction in flood level, or a movement of water to a different part of the landscape," he said.
The team will assess the benefits of various options and weigh up the costs.
"So there are different criteria of success, that is the tricky bit," he said.
CSIRO-led community consultation including public forums on the options being considered are due to start in October.
