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Private Property Flood Advisory Service

Find out what you can and can’t do to mitigate flood risk to your home and property.  Submit a Flood Mitigation Works Enquiry.

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We understand that it has been a hugely challenging period for several flood-impacted communities across the region. One of the things we hear a lot from residents is that they do not know what they can and can’t do to mitigate flood risk to their homes and properties.

The City has worked closely with North Central Catchment Management Authority (North Central CMA) to collate relevant information in one place and to establish an integrated advice service to help answer your questions.

Understand your flood risk

It's important that you understand your individual flood risk. You can obtain flood information free of charge from North Central CMA.

Use their online mapping tool, Flood Eye to download a flood report or email a request to:

[email protected]

North Central CMA: Flood Eye

Flood Mitigation Advice Service Trial

The City and North Central CMA has developed the following process for community members seeking clarification about flood mitigation works on their property:

  1. Submit your request
    Tell us what works you would like to undertake on your property by filling out the: 

    Flood Mitigation Works Online Enquiry form
     
  2. Response
    We will aim to get back to you with a coordinated response in 7 business days.
     
  3. Site visits
    For complex cases we will get in touch to organise a site visit with City and North Central CMA staff.

This integrated service is a trial which will be reviewed in early 2025.

Priority will be given to landholders who were flood affected in October 2022 or January 2024.

What types of works will help reduce flood risk to your property?

The following types of works may help reduce the risk of flooding:

  • Removal of debris or obstructions where more than 10% of the channel is blocked
  • Replacement of solid fencing with open style fencing that allows water to flow through
  • Replacement of fencing across waterways with sacrificial hinged 'flood gates' that break when it floods

There are also many ways to reduce the impact of floodings on the contents of homes and sheds. Some useful tips are available in Melbourne Water’s Flood resilient guide to retrofitting your home brochure.

For more information, visit:

Melbourne Water: Flood resilient guide to retrofitting your home

What works need a permit?

The triggers for planning permits are complex and often need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on what planning overlays apply to your property and what specific works are proposed.

Any works within the bed and banks of a designated waterway will also likely require a Works on Waterway Permit from North Central CMA. There is no fee for obtaining a Works on Waterway Permit.

In general, a planning permit and/or a works on a waterways permit is required for:

  • Removal of native vegetation including trees, shrubs, and ground story
  • Removal of fallen trees
  • Earthworks in a waterway including construction of bridges, culverts, crossings, creek widenings
  • Construction of a levy or earthworks that raises the natural surface of land that is liable to flooding

To be sure, please fill out the Flood Mitigation Works Online Enquiry Form to obtain advice for your property and circumstance.

Traditional Owner approvals

Prior to European settlement, waterways were important travelling routes and food sources for indigenous Australians. As a result, artefacts and places of cultural significance are often found close to waterways.

To protect cultural heritage, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan may be required for earthworks on land within 200 metres of a named waterway which was previously undisturbed.

If a Cultural Heritage Management Plan is required, then this plan must be approved prior to the issue of other permits/licenses, including Works on Waterway approval.

For more information about Cultural Heritage Management Plans, including information about when these plans are required, visit:

Victorian Government: Cultural Heritage Management Plans

Resources

North Central CMA: Apply for a Works on Waterways permit
Victorian Government: Managing vegetation in and around waterways

Flood Mitigation Works Enquiry

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