A flood study has identified potential mitigation and adaptation options to manage future flood risk near Painkalac Creek in Aireys Inlet.
New coastal adaptation and flood mitigation reports by science and engineering experts have been released. The reports represent a collaborative effort between Surf Coast Shire Council and government partners to better understand potential opportunities to reduce flood risk into the future.
The reports highlight that artificially opening the creek to reduce flood risk is a tool that works currently to prevent flooding, however it will become a progressively less effective tool in the years ahead.
Council is contacting just over 100 potentially impacted property owners to inform them of the new information.
The 10 mitigation and adaptation options range from retrofitting properties so that they're more flood resilient, to structural measures and planting vegetation in the floodplain.
The flood mitigation and adaptation measures identified in the reports are options only. No decisions have been made about whether any of the measures will proceed.
"Council has responsibilities to understand flood risk and to make sure land use planning occurs with these risks in mind. We also have an important role to play in emergency relief and recovery and building community resilience to emergencies," Mayor Libby Stapleton said.
"We partner with many authorities which may be responsible for respective options and landowners also have an important role.
"Managing flood risk is a shared responsibility that relies on continued cooperation between government, land managers and the community.
"We're inviting identified property owners and the wider Aireys community to learn more about the adaptation and mitigation reports, and to provide some initial thoughts."
Any future flood mitigation measures would require further investigation, detailed planning, funding, and coordination between Council, relevant agencies and the community before any decisions are made.
Regardless of whether future options proceed, understanding local flood risk and being prepared for flooding remain the most effective ways to reduce the impacts of future flood events.
The first phase of the study took place last year. It found that the changing climate – with more unpredictable storms and rainfall – will increase flooding risk to residential properties, businesses and critical infrastructure near the Painkalac Creek.
It was historically understood that around 50 private properties near the creek are at risk of inundation from flooding without intervention. Long-term hazard modelling showed that a larger area could be subject to future flooding, potentially impacting an additional 54 properties by the year 2100.
"Our Climate Emergency Response Plan recognises we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and this is expected to become more noticeable over time," Mayor Stapleton said.
"The Painkalac Creek study and other projects – including the Anglesea River Flood Study – are helping us understand how Council can work with other agencies and the community to better mitigate against future climate impacts.
"The flood study also aligns with our goal that communities are prepared ahead of emergencies, supported during them and resilient in their aftermath.
"While no single organisation can eliminate flood risk, working together with agencies, property owners and the broader community will support stronger planning and actions to this changing environment."
Phase one and two of the study will be combined for Council to consider at a future Council meeting, scheduled for September in Aireys Inlet.
Adopted flood studies typically recommend updates to local flood related planning controls which may require an amendment to the Surf Coast Planning Scheme. The Minister for Planning is responsible for state-led flood related planning scheme amendments.
