Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart has welcomed Sutherland Shire Council's draft Woronora Dredging Management Plan, while criticising "inaction' on flood mitigation.
Ms Stuart said residents along the river had experienced successive flooding events in the past two years, causing property damage and emotional distress.
"Sutherland Shire Council have been the recipients of significant state government investment, with a poor track record of being transparent on project costings and timelines for the use of these funds," she said.
"In 2023, they were awarded a $52,000 Rescuing our Waterways (ROW) Grant to fund the Woronora Dredging Management Pan.
"In February of this year, they were awarded $180,000 from the State Government's Floodplain Management Program for preparation of the Woronora River Flood Study. The last Woronora River study was last conducted in 1991.
"Councils are required to undertake flood studies every five years, a requirement outlined in the Flood Risk Management Manual which hasn't changed since 2005.
"Sutherland Shire Council had the opportunity to access NSW Boating Access Dredging Program funding, however, did not submit applications for funding in time during stage 4 of the Program."
