City proposes changes to coastal flooding overlay

THE City of Greater Geelong (COGG) is seeking feedback on proposed changes that would see a planning permit required for new buildings and works on certain properties subject to future flooding and sea level rise impacts.

Public exhibition is under way after the City of Greater Geelong council voted to support the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C394 – Proposed Coastal Inundation Overlay.

The amendment applies a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO2) to 1,614 properties on the Bellarine and Corio Bay that could be subject to future flooding and sea level rise.

The overlay will require a planning permit for new buildings and works on certain properties, with permit
conditions usually requiring floor levels to be above the predicted flood levels.

Mayor Bruce Harwood said council had a duty of care to act on the scientific modelling that formed the basis of this amendment, with a focus on lowering the risk of potential injury to residents, and damage to property and agriculture.

“We need to hear the community’s thoughts on the amendment, and I encourage residents who may be affected to have their say.”

Cr Jim Mason said the overlay would not necessarily stop development or changes to affected properties.

“It will trigger a planning permit and ensure that any future development or redevelopment recognises the location may be subject to future coastal flooding and sea level rise impacts,” Mr Mason said.

“This overlay implements the state government policy of planning for a 0.8m sea level rise by 2100.”

The areas that would be covered by the amendment are Avalon, Geelong, Moolap, Newcomb, Leopold, Portarlington, Indented Head, St Leonards, Swan Bay, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Breamlea.

The overlay maps are based on the Bellarine Peninsula – Corio Bay Local Coastal Hazard Assessment – Inundation Report 2015, which was prepared as part of the Our Coast project.

Our Coast mapped areas around the Bellarine Peninsula and Corio Bay (from Breamlea to Point Wilson) that will be impacted by sea level rise. The agencies involved in the Our Coast project are:

City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliff, Department of Land, Water, Environment and Planning, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Barwon Coast Committee of Management and Bellarine Bayside Committee of Management.

Submissions close on August 12, and more information is online at geelongaustralia.com.au/ amendments.