The clearing is part of the flood mitigation strategy undertaken by Coffs Harbour City Council. The programe will concentrate on the urban waterways of Coffs Creek and its tributaries, Newports Creek and Cordwells Creek.

“Flood mitigation has been a focus for council since the 1996 disaster,” Coffs Harbour Mayor, Keith Rhoades, said.

“Studies following that event have been used as the basis of the Coffs Creek Floodplain Risk Management Plan, which was adopted in 2006.

"The main component of that plan is the construction of four detention basins in the upper catchment of Coffs Creek to slow down the flow of floodwater in extreme storm events.

“This gives the drainage system and natural waterways downstream more time to empty, so that the effects of flash flooding are lessened.”

Council’s general manager Stephen Sawtell said work had already begun on the construction of the first of the detention basins near William Sharp Drive in West Coffs.

“But we’re also looking at a range of other options – such as removing debris from creeks – plus urging the relevant State Government departments to review the bridges on the Pacific Highway through the city and the rail bridge over Coffs Creek, the dredging of waterways, an improved early warning system, further flood modelling on mitigation works and even super pumps to siphon water away from the city centre.

"Council also has in place a regular maintenance program for the 200 kilometres of pipes and 7000 drainage pits across the Coffs Harbour area.

"In this year's budget, we have $649,000 set aside under the Stormwater Levy to undertake storm drainage improvement works.

"In addition, there is $178,000 to carry out capital general drainage upgrading across the local government area.”

Since March, council has:

• Cleared major flood debris obstructions in Coffs Creek following the March event;