Benalla Rural City Council, in partnership with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) and Victoria State Emergency Service (SES), has engaged consultancy firm Stantec to undertake a Flood Scoping Study to investigate the impact of floods on Winton township.
Due to there being no flood data available for this area the study aims to identify all available historic flood information for Winton to understand and characterise the flood risk for the township of Winton.
The study seeks to increase awareness of flood risk in Winton, inform future updates to the Municipal Flood Emergency Plan and assess what further work may be required to manage flood risks.
Benalla Rural City Mayor, Cr Bernie Hearn, said 'the study will assist the local community and Victoria State Emergency Service in preparing for future flood events, inform future updates to the Benalla Rural City Council Flood Emergency Plan and assist to determine what measures may be appropriate to manage the flood risks identified.
"The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority, and this flood scoping study is a crucial step in ensuring that we are equipped to mitigate and manage potential flood risks in the Winton township," Cr Hearn said.
Residents in the study area will shortly receive a mailed-out survey from Stantec, enabling them to contribute to the study outcomes.
"We are pleased to have Stantec on board, with their vast experience in water management," Cr Hearn said.
"We look forward to working with our partners in emergency management to conduct further flood studies in other areas that also have limited or no flood data."
The study will investigate the extent to which flooding from Winton Creek and Seven Mile Creek impacts the Winton township and its surroundings, assess the natural and manmade features influencing flood conditions, and identify whether a floodplain management study is needed to further assess possible mitigation options.
