Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) has announced Peter Cinque of the NSW State Emergency Service as the winner of the prestigious nation-wide FMA Allan Ezzy Flood Risk Manager of the Year Award.
The coveted award is presented to an individual who demonstrates best practice in flood risk management, community engagement and awareness, and an overall drive to make their community safer from flood.
FMA President Sue Ribbons said the award provides an opportunity to publicly showcase and promote the incredible work Australia’s flood risk managers are undertaking.
“Peter Cinque has been a positive influence on the flood risk management industry for the past five decades, and we are pleased to be able to bring attention to his tireless efforts” said Ms. Ribbons.
Through his work with the NSW SES, Peter has continually advocated for appropriate and evidence-based flood risk management to ensure communities are kept safer from disaster, and to also reduce operational response for the emergency service.
Peter’s recent achievements have seen him develop a flood risk analysis and visualisation project that includes interactive story maps across NSW catchments which communicate clearly flood risk and resilience to local communities. Peter has also led the involvement of an Operational Evacuation Decision Management Tool and the Emergency Flood Plan in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, which is one of the highest risk floodplains in Australia.
A key strength in Peter’s work is his drive for innovation and improvement to current practices and approaches, supporting new and emerging technologies, machine learning and even AI.
Ms. Ribbons said, “Peter is incredibly deserving of this award, and it is an honour to be able to celebrate the hard work that Peter has put into his years in the industry.”
Natural disasters are costing Australia over $560 million a year, and flooding is the most costly, yet manageable, natural hazard.
The winner of the FMA Allan Ezzy Flood Risk Manager of the Year Award was announced at the FMA ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Conference in Brisbane this week.
About FMA brings together experts from across Australia and overseas to help build a more flood resilient nation. Members include over 180 councils, catchment management authorities, government agencies, businesses, and professionals involved in urban and rural flood risk management.
