Community
24 January, 2025
Flood overlay in the spotlight
A GROUP of South Warrnambool residents have called on Warrnambool City Council to commission a second flood mapping study for the area.
Around 30 local residents attended a community meeting this month to discuss the proposed flood overlay for South Warrnambool.
According to Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell, the meeting resulted in the formation of a South West Flood Overlay Action Group.
“Disquiet following a community meeting last year has led to the formation of this action group,” Ms Britnell said.
“The proposed flood overlay for South Warrnambool has the potential to affect hundreds of existing and proposed homes and the group is calling on council to commission a second flood mapping study with an independent expert chosen by the group.
“The group is also concerned about the lack of understanding within the wider community about the impact of the proposed overlay and want to ensure they are better informed.”
Council recently commissioned a flood investigation study which models different storm surge and sea level rise (SLR) scenarios.
“Council’s website says the investigation will look at the risks posed by large storm tide and riverine flood events and the worsening flood risk profile due to the effects of climate change,” Ms Britnell said.
“It also says that, ultimately, the investigation will result in an amendment to the Warrnambool Planning Scheme that will include revised flood mapping and land use controls.”
Ms Britnell added that while council was responsible for implementing the flood controls in the planning scheme, ultimate approval rested with the state government.
“The results of this study are providing the basis for higher flood controls across areas of South Warrnambool which will affect many properties.”
Ms Britnell said some of the issues include the potential flood risk to existing properties; delayed or rejected planning permits for new properties; increased costs of redesigning new houses and potential devaluation of properties.
She is also concerned about potential challenges for obtaining finances to build or buy properties in the proposed overlay, ability to obtain insurance and emergency access in the event of a flood.
“Given the ramifications it’s understandable the community is worried so it’s important council get a second professional opinion,” Ms Britnell said.
“The community query some of the underlying assumptions, so it’s reasonable that there is an independent assessment to critique.”
The South West Flood Overlay Action Group is also concerned that there is “low awareness in the broader community” about the implications of this study given so many people would be affected.
“The group accepts that due to climate change, things will be different. They aren’t questioning the validity of climate change but want to ensure that the assumptions made in the study are justifiable.”
In response, Warrnambool City Council’s director city growth Luke Coughlan said the South Warrnambool Flood Study had already been independently reviewed.
“Venant Solutions won the procurement process to produce the flood model with the highest quality tender,” Mr Coughlan said.
“They have a strong reputation in flood modelling in the industry and have completed several other models for councils and agencies across Melbourne and the rest of the state.”
He added that once the model was produced by Venant, council then procured an independent review of the model by a separate consultant.
This work was won by Streamology, an industry leader in flood modelling.
“Their independent review recommended some minor changes and tweaks which Venant assessed and incorporated into the model,” Mr Coughlan said.
“The model has been reviewed by the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority as council’s project management partner.
“The CMA has extensive expertise in flood modelling across the catchment, and further expertise across the state CMA networks.
“Finally, council’s engineers have been part of the project team and also reviewed the model. The results presented are a result of the work and review of all four separate organisations.”
Mr Couglan added that while council welcomed any feedback on the modelling by either South West Flood Overlay Action Group or its chosen consultant, council had already invested in an extensive review process and doesn’t believe any further review is required.
“When the model is presented to the independent planning panel, objectors and submitters will have the opportunity to present to the panel their review, criticisms and critique of the proposed model.
“Council staff continue to engage with affected residents and are actively working on arrangements to facilitate planning permit applications affected by the study.”
