Friday, February 14, 2025

Victorian Govt pledges $22m to ‘fast-track’ council flood planning

The Victorian Government has pledged $22.2 million to fast-track more Council flood studies in a bid to better prepare communities for future floods.

Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing said the funding will help more local governments complete up-to-date flood data and mapping and incorporate completed flood studies into their planning schemes.

She said the funding will accelerate flood mapping data studies which will be used to update planning council schemes so they can identify suitable locations for new development and avoid high flood-risk areas.

“We’re helping any remaining local council to fast-track updates to their flood maps and other data to ensure we have the best information on the risk of flooding,” said Minister Shing.

“These flood studies will support emergency management activities, planning decisions and individual landowners living on the floodplains.”

Victorian local councils are responsible for updating flood mapping and controls in their planning schemes to ensure they identify areas subject to potential flooding.

State Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny said Councils were best placed to make these decisions, in consultation with the relevant water authority or catchment management authority.

“We’re making sure the latest flood data is being reflected in Victorian planning schemes, to help create safer and more resilient towns across flood prone parts our state,” she said.

The funding package includes:
• $10 million over the next five years to complete an estimated 32 flood studies in regional Victoria;
• $5 million over three years to fast-track scoping of future flood mitigation activities;
• $3.9 million over the next two years to help councils implement 40 flood studies into Victorian planning schemes;
• $2 million over the next two years to establish a program to engage landholders, local builders, and industry.

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