Developing an updated Flood and Drainage Management Plan for Carisbrook moved a step closer at a meeting of Central Goldfields Shire last night (26/03).
At the meeting, Council endorsed the Draft Flood Study Advisory Reference Group Terms of Reference and appointed Tullaroop Ward Councillor Anna de Villiers along with three community members to the group.
In 2024, the North Central Catchment Authority secured $300,000 through the Victorian Government's Flood Study Reclamation funding program for Council to deliver and review the Plan which was last developed in 2013.
The 2013 plan recommendations included the construction of the levee, waterway maintenance, drainage works, updated information in the Municipal Flood Emergency Plan and a planning scheme amendment – all of which have now been implemented.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said the updated Flood and Drainage Management Plan was part of Council's continued commitment to flood mitigation in Carisbrook.
"The new Plan will allow us to better understand the flood risk for Carisbrook for the full range of flood events, extension of the mapping area to include Flagstaff, and to reassess potential mitigation options for the town that may complement existing mitigation.
"With advances in flood modelling software, this is an opportunity for us to update the original modelling as well as include the latest climate change science and consider and incorporate several of the medium-long term recommendations identified in the independent review undertaken by Fred Spain in 2024.
"As we develop and implement the updated Carisbrook Flood Management Plan, the newly established Flood Study Advisory Reference Group will support this process by providing guidance, expertise and stakeholder perspectives.
"The Group will include members from SES, DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action), NCCMA (North Central Catchment Management Authority, 3 x Council officers, Tullaroop Ward Councillor Anna de Villiers, CFA and the Department of Transport and Planning.
"Three community members – Martin Mackay, Aaron Beaton and Giuliano Marcon – have also been appointed following a public expression of interest process. Guilano Marcon was also appointed to serve on the Tender Evaluation Panel for the project consultant role.
"The group will meet bi-monthly or as required and will serve for the duration of the project which is anticipated to take approximately 20 months.
"We thank the community members for their willingness to be involved and look forward to the updated Plan being completed in due course."
The review and update to the Carisbrook Flood and Drainage Management Plan will include:
- Hydrologic and hydraulic modelling to determine flood information for the full range of flood events up to and including the probable maximum flood.
- Calibration to historical flood events, particularly floods that have occurred since the original study was completed in 2013.
- Modelling of climate change scenarios based on recently revised recommendations.
- Assessment of the feasibility of a range of potential mitigation options including recommendations from the independent review.
- The information produced will enhance the flood resilience of the Carisbrook community by improving and building on the available flood information. The project outputs will be used for land use and development planning, emergency management planning and response, and community education. The project will include consultation with the local community to collate local knowledge and assess potential mitigation options.
- The information and mapping produced by the study will be made freely available to the public and will also be used to inform VICSES Floodsafe programs.
