City seeks views on flooding

SOUTH Geelong, Newtown, Breakwater, Thomson and St Albans Park residents have been asked to share their memories, photos, videos, newspaper cuttings, views and local knowledge that capture their experiences of flooding.

The City of Greater Geelong is seeking the information to improve its South Geelong Stormwater Management Strategy, which will help the city and other authorities better understand and manage flood risk and how stormwater quality affects local waterways.

This study is focused on urban flooding, rather than riverine flooding.

The city says it wants to hear from present and past residents, property owners, businesses and organisations within the South Geelong catchment area to help determine:

How flood waters behave in the area

How and where flooding impacts the landscape

What type and size of water infrastructure is needed to protect people, the landscape and the natural environment, and

Opportunities to capture excess stormwater runoff.

The Have Your Say page at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/SGSMS includes a survey and a handy interactive mapping tool for people to drop pins on specific locations to share their experiences of urban flooding and known hotspots.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan encouraged everyone, including those who commute through the area, to join the conversation and make sure the flood modelling work was accurate.

“We need to hear from a wide range of people who’ve experienced historic flooding in the South Geelong catchment area across their lifetime, to more recent times such as the 2016 flash flooding event and the 2022 floods,” he said.

“By gathering the community’s insights, we are a step closer to understanding

how the community, infrastructure like roads and buildings, wildlife and natural landscapes can be better protected from flooding impacts.

“The South Geelong Stormwater Management Strategy will inform future community flood preparedness, emergency response and sustainable land use planning.”

Deputy mayor Anthony Aitken said stage one of the consultation would run until August 15.

“The community’s experience and knowledge will help the team validate data and develop options to reduce the risk of flooding, which community members will have the chance to review and give feedback on.

“From there, a final assessment report will be presented on our Have Your Say page.”

To complete the survey, scan the QR code here.