Access to clear, localised flood information has never been more important for communities across New South Wales. To help residents better understand their flood risk and prepare for extreme weather, our team, in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and NSW SES, developed a new series of informative videos explaining how local catchments and river systems behave, and why flooding occurs.

The newly released videos provide residents with accurate, easy-to-grasp insights into the unique characteristics of their catchments, delivering a powerful tool for awareness, planning, and education. The videos combine region-specific historic flood data with high-resolution 3D terrain modelling, creating some of the most accurate and engaging visual representations of flood behaviour currently available.

These data-driven visualisations allow viewers to see exactly how water moves through their local environment; from upstream catchments and river systems, to low-lying town centres and residential areas. This clarity empowers key stakeholders to better understand the potential impacts of flooding, and the steps they can take to stay safe in dangerous situations.

‍

By improving access to localised information, the catchment video series supports communities in making informed decisions before, during, and after severe weather events. The ability to clearly visualise risk is highly likely to enhance preparedness, improve emergency response outcomes, and overall strengthen community resilience.

Throughout the development process, the NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW SES, and Spatial Media worked closely with councils to ensure the resources truly reflect local conditions and community needs.

NSW Reconstruction Authority A/Chief Executive Officer Kate Meagher highlighted the importance of this collaborative approach:

“We’ve worked closely with councils, schools, and community groups to make sure resources are relevant, accessible, and grounded in local experience.”

This community-driven development process ensures the videos are not only technically accurate, but also meaningful and practical for the people who rely on them.

You can explore the complete set of catchment videos here.

Reach out to us at contact@spatialmedia.io to learn more about how high-impact digital tools can support your organisation and community.