Following the completion of its Maribyrnong River flood modelling project, Melbourne Water is progressing with a detailed assessment of the long-term flood mitigation options for the region.
In April 2024, Melbourne Water released new flood modelling for the Maribyrnong River to help the community and agencies better understand flood risk across the catchment.
A series of pop-up sessions, in person community meetings and online forums were held to help the community understand the information and what to do next, including participation in some important work to assess mitigation options for the catchment.
The utility is now encouraging residents of Maribyrnong catchment to have their say on important next steps in flood planning.
Melbourne Water has also released information which helps the community better understand the impact of the flood in the Maribyrnong catchment in 2022.
The final report of the Independent Panel, which looked at the impact of the racecourse flood wall during the 2022 flood event studied the impact of the floodwall against the new 2024 and 2100 flood scenarios, which showed no impact from the flood wall at Kensington Banks, but a slightly bigger impact in the Maribyrnong township.
The analysis also found that in Kensington Banks there is no added depth caused by the wall – and in fact, the wall has the effect of reducing the estimated flood depth by 5.1cm.
New flood model and next steps
The new modelling takes into account the impacts of climate change and other changes in the catchment, including further urban development. It uses sophisticated technology to get the most accurate picture of potential risk for certain flood events.
Melbourne Water said that it’s important to have this information to be prepared. This preparation includes informing the community about their flood risk and actions they can take to be flood ready, supporting future planning decisions, and investigating potential flood mitigations such as levees, drainage and retarding basins.
Now the new Maribyrnong River flood modelling has been completed, detailed assessment of long-term sustainable flood mitigation options is being progressed.
The new modelling will be used to support comprehensive identification and assessment of previously identified traditional solutions, as well as any new innovative solutions for the riverine flood hazards. In addition, comprehensive economic, environmental, social and cultural impact assessment will be undertaken.
The study will consider feasible flood mitigation solutions for the riverine flood hazards, that prioritise the safety and resilience of the communities within the catchment and have the greatest impact on reducing the flood risk, both now and anticipated by the year 2100 and beyond.
The community will be invited to participate in the development and assessment of options in late 2024.
Melbourne Water will also work with local and state governments to translate this new data into planning scheme controls. This process provides an opportunity for the community and stakeholders to review proposed new controls and make a submission, Melbourne Water will then inform the community once the public exhibition commences later in 2024.
Featured image: The Kensington pop up held in May 2024. Image: Melbourne Water.
