Ideas to flow on future flood planning

TWO face-to-face drop-in sessions for residents to have their say on the Smythesdale Flood Study will be hosted by the Golden Plains Shire.

The municipality received $140,515 under the second round of the Disaster Ready Funding (DRF) 2024-2025 through the National Emergency Management Agency to deliver the study which will be produced in partnership with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and the Victoria State Emergency Service Barwon Region.

The study will cover the Woady Yaloak River, tributaries, and overland water flows in the Smythesdale township, aiming to create detailed flood mapping for a range of scenarios.

Information will be used to inform the Smythesdale Structure Plan directing future urban development and highlighting areas of risk.

Traditional Owner values and cultural heritage will be considered as part of any potential flood mitigation options that may be proposed through the study.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Owen Sharkey is encouraging residents to come along to the drop-in sessions and contribute to the project.

“Residents are encouraged to bring along photos or evidence of historic flood events from 2011, 2016 and 2022 as your local knowledge is invaluable to ensure the modelling reflects as accurately as possible past flooding in the community,” Cr Sharkey said.

“Representatives from council’s strategic planning and engineering teams, as well as the expert consultants engaged to undertake the study, will be available in both sessions so we’d like to see as many local residents there as possible to learn as much as we can.”

The drop-in sessions will be held on Thursday 13 November from 1pm to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 7pm at The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

If residents have any historical flood images, they are asked to submit them online at goldenplains.com.au/consultations, by email to [email protected] or by mail to Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked Attention: Smythesdale Flood Study.

The Study is expected to be presented to council in 2026.

Anyone who would like more information can contact council’s strategic planning division on 5220 7111 or email [email protected].