Findings from a new study will be used to plan for and reduce flood risks in the Curdies River catchment.
The Curdies Flood study was undertaken by engineering and environmental consulting company WaterTechnology, on behalf of Council and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA).
Mayor Kate Makin said the study maps flood impacts across the catchment for different rainfall events.
"This huge study has gathered past flood data, building, road and culvert surveys, rainfall and river gauge data and landscape mapping," Cr Makin said.
"Using sophisticated modelling, fine-tuned with community observations, it predicts flood impacts on public and private assets across the catchment.
"That includes which properties, buildings and roads are likely to be flooded during significant rainfall events.
"Information such as warning times − to predict when properties or roads are likely to be inundated − will help Council and emergency agencies respond to flooding, such as closing roads before they are flooded.
"Council will work with the Bureau of Meteorology and other partners to investigate installing more rain gauges to improve early flood warning systems.
"Staff are developing a flood portal on Council's website so the community can access the new flood mapping for their property.
"The next stage of this project is to work with State Government to incorporate findings of the study into the Corangamite Planning Scheme.
"This will ensure that future development is appropriate for the level of flood risk."
Cr Makin thanked the community members who were involved in consultation sessions held in Cobden and Timboon in 2024 and 2025 to gather local knowledge about historic flood events and validate the draft mapping.
Council established a Project Steering Committee which included:
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Department of Transport and Planning
- Corangamite CMA
- Moyne Shire Council
- Victorian State Emergency Service
- Parks Victoria
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and
- Council's Assets, Works, Planning and Emergency teams.
Once Council receives the Planning Minister's consent to prepare a planning scheme amendment to implement the study's findings, there will be further community consultation to prepare the amendment.
The project was funded by the Victorian Government Risk and Resilience Grants and the CCMA.
