Your property has been identified as having a 1% chance of flooding in any given year. These intense storms are rare, but flooding happens regularly across Melbourne.

The proposed controls will require a report and consent from Council before new buildings, or renovations and additions to properties can commence.

Once these new controls are implemented, we’ll work with you via a two-step approvals process when planning any building works:

Step 1: Lodge a Flood Level Application for preliminary advice.

Step 2: Once the design is finalised, lodge a Report and Consent application

Visit www.moreland.vic.gov.au/flood-mappingflood-mapping for more information.

The Flood Mapping Study does not create a new risk to properties, it documents and mitigates flood risks that already exist in our municipality.

We use the data to provide effective advice to property owners and developers planning or proposing buildings and works to ensure developments are constructed above the flood level and don’t obstruct the flow of stormwater. Once the flood declaration is made, a report and consent from Council must be approved before a building permit can be issued for new buildings, or renovations and additions.

It will also ensure persons selling or purchasing properties who seek a Section 51(2) Property Information Certificate from Council are notified of the flood risk at the time of purchase.

Properties which may be flooded within Melbourne Water catchment areas are currently affected by a Special Building Overlay in the Moreland Planning Scheme. We have provided Melbourne Water with a copy of the Study modelling to assist them in revising their flood mapping to account for climate change.

Once we’ve received community feedback on the Flood Mapping Study and align our data to Melbourne Water’s revised flood mapping, we will prepare a planning scheme amendment which alters the Special Building Overlay to include controls on properties which may be flooded within Council catchment areas, and update those within Melbourne Water catchments. As part of this process we will consider feedback provided by our community prior to finalising the planning scheme amendment.

The impact of a new statutory control relating to flooding is one of many factors that can influence the value of a property both negatively and positively.

Property values are determined by many factors including zoning, other planning requirements, lot sizes, types of surrounding properties, the level of amenities and services in the surrounding area, tenancy opportunities, prevailing trends in the ‘market cycle’, the social profile of areas and the quality and maintenance of individual buildings.

Council is unable to provide advice on insurance and recommends that you contact your insurance provider directly. Equally if you are engaging a builder to carry out works on your property, it is recommended that your building has appropriate insurance coverage.

If your property has been designated as subject to flooding during a 1% AEP rainfall event, there is a 1% chance of your property flooding in any given year. The maps don’t make you more likely to be flooded. The data documents existing risks. These intense storms are rare, but flooding happens regularly across Melbourne and we want to mitigate this risk as best we can so that you are even less likely to be impacted by a 1% AEP rainfall event in the future.

You can also play a role in minimising flood risk. There are a number of things that you can do now to minimise the risk of damage to your property by flooding in the next storm:

• Install a rainwater tank to capture and reuse water
• Reduce hard surfaces around your property
• Install a good drainage system and keep it maintained
• Let us know if stormwater pits are blocked
• Don’t build or place things where they will block the flow of stormwater
• Provide feedback on our flood mapping

Once the flood mapping is included in the planning scheme, it can be updated over time if new information becomes available. Changes can only be made by a formal amendment to the planning scheme and owners of affected properties would be notified of the proposed change.

We are committed to reducing the risks and impacts of flooding in Moreland. Some of the ways we are doing this include;

• Drainage improvement works through the Capital Works Program
• Cleaning and repairing stormwater drains
• Reviewing the capacity of drains
• Building stormwater collection and reuse projects
• Providing flooding advice to landowners
• Supporting the work of the SES in cleaning up after floods
• Educating and preparing our community by implementing the Flood Mapping Study