A new study has provided Surf Coast Shire Council with a greater understanding of the stormwater network and associated flood risk in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.
The Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Stormwater Flood Study is the first of its kind for Council, which will use the modelling to help identify stormwater issues, plan for infrastructure upgrades, and explore mitigation options.
Understanding stormwater flooding patterns and risks also supports Council and individual property owners to improve decision making in relation to development, and improves emergency management planning and response.
The flood modelling has been completed to provide Council and community with valuable information. It will not result in any changes to the Surf Coast Planning Scheme.
Surf Coast Shire Mayor Mike Bodsworth welcomed the new study and said that more would be completed in other towns in the future.
"Anglesea and Aireys Inlet were selected first because they both have historical stormwater issues," he said. "Many locals would recall the severe storm in January 2022 which resulted in flooding of properties on the drainage line between the Anglesea Golf Course and its outlet at the Anglesea River. There was also flooding of properties in Aireys."
The Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Stormwater Flood Study modelling used rainfall data from the severe storm in January 2022, as well as a range of storm scenarios including rain falling from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
Flood hazard modelling was completed for the various storm scenarios in focus areas requested by Council.
"While the mapping isn't able to tell us precisely what will happen in a severe rainfall event, it shows which areas are more prone or less prone to flooding caused by stormwater," Mayor Bodsworth said. "This allows us to be proactive and plan, rather than respond to issues as they arise."
Council staff from the Stormwater Infrastructure team are available to discuss the study with interested residents, organisations and groups. To organise a chat, please call 5261 0600 or visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/StormwaterStudy.
"The Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Stormwater Study will enable us to pursue funding opportunities for mitigation options, such as stormwater network upgrades, further work with emergency services, and potential building floor-level advice for residents," Mayor Bodsworth said.
The study will feed into other projects that are helping Council and the community to better understand flood risk, such as the Painkalac Creek Adaptation and Mitigation Study in Aireys Inlet and the upcoming Anglesea River Flood Study.
"We're experiencing more extreme weather events that are impacting our assets, including drains," Mayor Bodsworth said. "As a Council we have a responsibility to plan for climate change risks, which includes exploring how we can invest in assets so that they can withstand severe weather events in the future."
