The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has partnered with councils around the state to deliver workshops that aim to educate people about the levees around them and help them prepare in case of emergency. 

On Tuesday night, Bathurst residents can attend a meeting at the Panthers club on Piper Street to discusss the Macquarie River levees. 

Deputy region controller for the Central West region, Mark Darling, said the state-wide workshops are a good initiative to prepare residents across different communities

“It is about discussing options that residents have when a levee is at risk of failing or over-topping,” he said. 

Residents can use the meeting to ask any questions they may have, share ideas with other people and formulate their own flood plan. 

The meeting is open to all members of the community, but will be of particular interest to those who live directly behind a levee. 

Many people don’t start thinking about levees until there is a lot of rain, but Mr Darling said now, when the state is in drought, is a good time to start preparing a plan of action.

“It is a good time to do it right now, to do it before an event actually happens,” he said.

“By doing it now, at least people can start to think about it, they can start to do things [to prepare] now.” 

The meeting will run from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday night. 

Light refreshments will be provided. 

People are encouraged to RVSP to the event or direct any queries to Mr Darling on 6334 8555 or email mark.darling@ses.nsw.gov.au.