Study to map Anglesea River flood risk

A MAJOR study of flood risks along the Anglesea River will begin next month as authorities seek a clearer picture of how rising sea levels, storm surges and extreme rainfall could affect the township in the coming decades.

The project will examine flood hazards along the river and estuary, helping to identify which areas could be vulnerable during major flood events now and under future climate scenarios.

Surveyors will begin preliminary work in June, collecting floor-level data from riverside properties and mapping the river channel beneath the water’s surface.

Historical flood records will also be used to build and test modelling that predicts how floodwaters may move through the area.

The study is being led by the Surf Coast Shire in partnership with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and Victoria State Emergency Service.

The findings are expected to be released for community feedback later this year and will help inform future flood mitigation and emergency planning measures.

Surf Coast councillor Mike Bodsworth said the study would help inform longer-term decisions about managing flood risks around the river.

“When water levels are high and significant rainfall is forecast, the Anglesea River estuary is artificially opened with an excavator to release water and reduce the risk of flooding,” he said.

Artificial openings of the river mouth have long been used to lower water levels during flood threats, although authorities say the approach can affect estuary health and may become less effective as sea levels rise and storm surges become more frequent.

“We want to work together and plan for how this will affect the community and the way we use the Anglesea River in the medium and long term,” Cr Bodsworth said.

The study will not directly examine the health of the river, but the shire says a better understanding of flood behaviour will help shape future decisions about how the Anglesea River is managed.