The first phase of the Maribyrnong River Flood Mitigation Study is set to kick off, and Melbourne Water is calling on local community members to get involved.
The Maribyrnong River Flood Mitigation Study will investigate potential solutions to help reduce flood risk now and to the year 2100, and beyond. The study will aim to identify both structural and non-structural flood management solutions, for the Lower Maribyrnong River catchment.
Melbourne Water said the study will prioritise the safety and resilience of the local community and the Lower Maribyrnong River ecosystem.
Melbourne Water Executive General Manager, Service Asset and Lifecycle, Craig Dixon said, that the Maribyrnong community is invited to play a vital role in investigating both traditional and innovative flood mitigation strategies for the Lower Maribyrnong River.
“Melbourne Water invites the local community to examine the full suite of available options to help us identify the best plan for the Lower Maribyrnong River,” he said.
“Working together with the community on the study means that the flood mitigation proposals will reflect the needs of the people who live, work and enjoy the open spaces along the river.”
The Maribyrnong River Flood Mitigation Study is anticipated to take up to 18 months to complete and there will be a range of ways for the community to get involved, including through information sessions, pop-up stalls, community outreach and online engagement. The first opportunity to participate will be a webinar in February 2025 where attendees can meet the project team and find out more about the study.
Melbourne Water is encouraging the community to stay up to date on opportunities to participate by registering their interest on the project webpage:
https://letstalk.melbournewater.com.au/maribyrnong-river-flood-model/flood-mitigation-study
Melbourne Water has awarded Jacobs, one of the world’s largest providers of flood modelling and mitigation services, the contract to deliver the flood mitigation study.
The utility said that Jacobs will draw on its Melbourne-based and international teams to design a plan that works for the unique needs of the Lower Maribyrnong River and its community.
Jacobs will work with Melbourne Water and the local community to assess the feasibility of flood mitigation solutions, considering several factors such as community and environmental impact, practicality, effectiveness, and cost.
In awarding this contract to Jacobs, Mr Dixon said, “This important process will take time, and it’s essential that we get it right. Melbourne Water will work closely with the local communities and draw on Jacobs’ expertise to investigate innovative and effective solutions to address the challenges of flood management.”
