Geelong council has announced its support for the state government’s changes to floodplain management across Victoria.
The new system, designed to speed up development decisions, provides the most up-to-date flood risk information to communities and developers and lessen the administrative load shouldered by councils.
The changes will see the Minister for Planning become responsible for flood-related planning scheme amendments, with catchment management authorities leading the flood mapping and community engagement informing those amendments.
A new flood hazard rating system, based on the bushfire danger rating system used since 2015, will provide clear distinction between low, moderate, high and very high risk areas, with new planning and building controls for each risk tier.
The rating system will also allow insurers to take a more granular approach to calculating premiums, targeting specific at-risk areas rather than increasing insurance costs for entire communities.
Council has been advocating the state government to reform Victoria’s floodplain management system for some time.
The state’s fastest growing city, Geelong, must receive more than 128,000 new homes built in the region by 2051 under the state government’s recent housing targets.
The protracted process of the aborted Lara flood overlays in 2023 saw council spend years of work and more than $500,000, only for the changes to be dropped due to community opposition.
The incident was an example of the sometimes exorbitant cost of floodplain management to councils under a municipal-led system.
Geelong deputy mayor Ron Nelson was vocal in his support of the decision.
“I fully support the Victorian government’s new approach to flood mapping, which brings it in line with its management of bushfire planning,” he said.
“This is a great outcome, led by the City’s advocacy in collaboration with state and federal members and councils across the region.”
You Yangs Ward councillor Chris Burson said the move would help keep flood management consistent statewide.
“This change will help ensure our community is better protected and decisions are made using consistent data across the state,” he said.
“This is a significant change in process and the right course of action for the broader Victorian community.”
