How do you manage flood risks for a city of 4 million people, with a population expected to almost double by 2050? This is the challenge facing Melbourne Water. It’s a challenge exacerbated by climate change, which is likely to lead to greater flood risk due to more frequent intense rainstorms, and rising sea level.

The Port Phillip and Westernport region has approximately 232,000 properties at risk of flooding. Annual average damage from flooding is almost $400 million.

Melbourne Water has collaborated with over 70 organisations, including those with flood, drainage and emergency management responsibilities, to produce a new flood management strategy. Climate change has been given a strong profile in the strategy.

‘We undertook an extensive consultation process to identify what was important to our stakeholders and the community,' explains Beth McLachlan, Land and Resilience Planning team leader at Melbourne Water.

Flooding creates serious hazards for some communities and is the region’s most expensive natural disaster. Ongoing urban development and growth have decreased permeability, leading to greater pressure on stormwater and drainage systems.

‘Some of the feedback received included that stakeholders want consistent decision making and transparent processes, that we need to identify the right mix of mitigation measures for prioritised locations and their communities, and that we need to ensure that people are aware and prepared.’

There are many ways to reduce and manage flood risks, including education, urban planning, insurance, flood warning systems and structural measures. Managing urban growth and development well is critical to avoid creating new risks.

Flood mapping has been undertaken across growth corridor catchments, along most waterways and drainage systems managed by Melbourne Water, and along some drainage systems managed by councils. Approximately 75 per cent of catchments across the region have some degree of flood mapping completed.

Melbourne Water’s new strategy seeks to provide timely information to people who need it, address flood risks to reduce impacts, and have land, water and emergency agencies working together to effectively manage flood.

When was the last time that your area flooded?
What flood mitigation plans do you or your organisation have in place?
What can you or your organisation do to help your community to be more prepared for and resilient to floods?