The scheme assets are owned by the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation and are managed under delegation by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Scheme assets are located on private land.
Hunter Local Land Services contributes to the maintenance budget, as required by the Water Management Act 2000. This Act repealed the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme Act 1956.
Hunter Local Land Services' share is funded by the Hunter Catchment Contributions. Local government ratepayers in the Hunter catchment pay an annual levy, known as Hunter catchment contributions. Local councils also provide a small contribution. Chapter 5 Public Works – Part 2 of the Water Management Act refers directly to Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation works. Works are approved under Part 5 of the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The Department is responsible for all maintenance activities of scheme assets. Maintenance activities include:
- levee mowing
- spraying of aquatic and terrestrial weeds
- cleaning of drains
- floodgate repairs.
In some cases, drainage channels extend beyond the Department's jurisdiction and we have no authority to undertake any works in these areas.
We also contract other agencies and organisations to do work on their behalf. This can include project design and management, construction work, assessment of environmental factors and stakeholder engagement.