The Allan Labor Government is making sure Victorians have the most up-to-date flood risk information - helping communities plan, manage risks, and build homes that are safe from flooding.
A new risk-based flood hazard rating system has been developed - modelled on the successful bushfire danger rating system - to provide better flood information for local communities.
Insurers often apply a blanket approach to flooding risk, by increasing premiums for an entire community, when only one specific area is at elevated risk of flooding.
The new risk-based system will provide ratings ranging from 'low' to 'very high' to provide more accurate information, which will correspond to new planning and building controls. These changes will bring flood planning in line with the bushfire approach used since 2015 and will make sure homes are built based on the latest modelling.
The new planning and building controls will give developers and residents better flood risk information to inform decision-making on where to build, what to build and also how to build with flood-safe construction methods.
The controls will provide clarity by distinguishing between very high-risk areas where development must be avoided, high-risk areas where development warrants careful assessment, moderate-risk areas where projects will need to include the right safeguards and low-risk areas where minimum building requirements will apply.
This will support Melbourne Water and Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) to lead flood modelling and community engagement to streamline flood-related planning scheme amendments led by the Minister for Planning - reducing the cost and administrative burden for local councils.
This will speed up development decisions by making sure the approvals process and development controls are proportionate to risk.
These changes will give households and insurers timely flood risk information - helping make insurance premiums more transparent. It will also help direct future investment in emergency services and flood mitigation.
Melbourne Water will release updated flood mapping across Greater Melbourne over the next two years and undertake further community engagement.
As stated by Minister for Water Gayle Tierney
"This is about protecting lives and property where the risk is greatest, while making it easier to build homes and businesses in low risk places."
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
"We're providing better information and more clarity to councils, industry and communities, so we can manage flood risks while building the homes that Victoria needs."
As stated by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing
"We are ensuring building standards protect consumers and deliver high-quality houses in the right places so that as Victoria grows, we are supporting consumers by managing and mitigating the impacts of climate change."
