Inverleigh Flood StudyThe Golden Plains Shire with the support of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) are undertaking a Flood Risk Management Study for the Barwon and Leigh Rivers at Inverleigh (the ‘Study’). The Study area is defined by a 3.5km radius from the town centre on the Hamilton Highway. The Study will run concurrently with the development of the Inverleigh Structure Plan.

What is a Flood Study?A flood study is a comprehensive technical investigation of flood behaviour in a particular catchment. The flood study provides detailed technical information on the nature of the flood risk including the extent, depth levels and velocity of floodwaters across the flood plain for various flood events.

How can you be involved?

Expert consultants will be engaged in March-April 2017 to conduct the flood investigation. Draft findings are likely to be available for community input and feedback by July-August 2017. Council and CCMA officers will hold an information session for any interested residents to discuss the draft findings. Residents and landholders in the study area will be notified by letter, local newsletter and Council’s website late July 2017.

Require further project information?

If you have any questions in relation to this project please contact Council’s Strategic Planner Angela Vary on 5220 7166 or email: avary@gplains.vic.gov.au

The Golden Plains Shire has the responsibility for preparing, implementing and administering the planning scheme which includes floodplain management.

The purpose of the Study is to provide a detailed assessment of the Inverleigh township floodplain where flooding may impact upon residents, properties and infrastructure. Using existing river gauges at Inverleigh, the study aims to develop high quality up-to-date flood maps that predict flooding heights, and identify high risk areas for flood warning and evacuation.

The Study will produce detailed flood mapping for the floodplain reaches (within the study area) by combining all available data to determine up to date flood intelligence.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy is Council undertaking a Flood Study?

Flooding can severely disrupt communities by causing injury, loss of life, property damage, personal hardship and disruptions to regional economies. Good floodplain management requires the identification of properties that are potentially subject to significant flood risk through planning overlays. The Study aims to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on individual landholders of flood prone property, and to reduce private and public losses resulting from floods.

Will my property value be altered if my property is flood affected?

Property values are determined by many different factors including economic conditions, public economic policies, location, streetscape and amenity. It is difficult to assign what effect the identification of land as flood prone may have on the value of a property. Prospective buyers can acquire flood information about a property directly from Council or the CCMA. The property market determines the value of any residential property. Individual owners should seek their own valuation advice if they are concerned that flood classifications may influence their property value.

What if I want to carry out building works on my property?

Major modificiations to your building will require compliance with any new requirements for building or development. Generally this means that rebuilt houses and house extensions consider flood risk in their design, and thus reduce the risk of damage to the property as a result of flooding. The purpose of planning and building controls is to protect your investment from future flood damage. It also means that if you want to redevelop your land you will be able to do so in a manner that is appropriate to the flood risk.

The maps show only a small part of my property is affected so why have I been classified as flood prone?Flood overlays provide a means of triggering a referral to the CCMA. This allows for the inclusion of flood-related planning conditions that may be necessary at a particular property. This is part of the orderly planning process that minimises risk for individual land owners and for the community more generally. Flood maps highlight which property is affected by flooding and inundation. If a small portion of the the property is affected only that portion is covered by the flood risk conditions.

Can flood affected property be developed?

Development proposals for properties affected in the Golden Plains Shire by flooding are referred to the CCMA for referral and assessment. Planning controls applicable to a flood affected propety are specific to the proposed land use, the floodplains and the extent of flooding on your property. Developments will be assessed based on the safety of occupants, avoiding adverse flood related impacts on other properties, protection of waterways and other environmental assets, minimising potential property damage and ensuring there is no increased burden on community and emergency services.