Floodplain management grants

The Floodplain Management Program provides financial support to local councils and eligible public land managers to help them manage flood risk in their communities. The program supports the implementation of the NSW Government's Flood Prone Land Policy, which is outlined in the Flood risk management manual.

Support provided through the program usually involves $2 from the government for every $1 provided by the applicant.

The Floodplain Management Program funded 41 projects totalling $8,085,629 in the 2024–25 funding round to assess the risks and reduce the impacts of flooding in New South Wales.

Current funding round

The 2025–26 funding round is open.

Who can apply

Local councils, county councils and other government bodies with floodplain risk management responsibilities equivalent to those of local councils, such as the Hunter Local Land Services and the Lord Howe Island Board.

What will be funded

Applications can be made under 4 independent project stages.

Stage 1: Flood study

Preparation of a flood study, including data collection.

Stage 2: Flood risk management study

• Preparation or review of a flood risk-management study and plan.
• Undertake a review of a range of flood risk management plans consistent with section 4.6 of the Flood risk management manual (2023).
  • the development of a status report identifying eligible organisational governance, knowledge and management arrangements and related gaps and related priorities for improvements to support eligible organisations develop their flood risk management framework 
  • desk-top review of related flood studies and flood risk management studies and plans for sensitivity of flood behaviour and flood risk management decisions to climate change impacts based on existing information.
• Undertake strategic flood risk management activities consistent with Table 2 of section 4.3 the Flood risk management manual to inform eligible organisations' integrated planning and reporting framework, land-use planning and support NSW State Emergency Service emergency management planning.
• Produce updated information using existing flood model results across a number of study areas to support management of flood risk consistent with the Flood risk management manual toolkit.

Stage 3: Investigation and design/feasibility study

Investigation, design and/or feasibility study (where required) for works and new flood warning systems identified in a flood risk management plan. This stage must be undertaken for all new flood warning systems and for works projects that are likely to exceed a total implementation cost of $500,000 ex GST.

Stage 4: Implementation

Implementing actions identified in a flood risk management plan (noting projects must have completed the requirements of Stage 3 where applicable), including but not limited to:

• structural works, such as levees, detention basins, flood gates and improved flow conveyance
• flood warning systems
• evacuation management
• voluntary purchase or house raising.

Online Grants Management System

The Grants Management System (GMS), is purpose-built to manage the entire grant process online, from application through to final acquittal and evaluation.

It allows you to apply online for grants.

If your funding application is successful, the GMS will be used to lodge documents related to the project, such as work plans, variations, progress reports and final acquittal reports.

Log in or register for the GMS

Through the use of the GMS, some personal information will be collected. The Privacy policy outlines how this information will be managed.

How to apply

The 2025–26 funding round is open.

Information for new applicants, including guidelines and sample work plans, are available.