City to use flood mapping to revise planning controls

THE City of Greater Geelong council will use updated flood mapping to revise planning controls on land near several rivers and bodies of water in the municipality.
Last week, the council gave its approval for Amendment C339 to be prepared, which aims to identify areas prone to flooding, coastal erosion, sea level rises and storm surges.
Through planning permit assessments, the proposed amendment seeks to protect residents and reduce the risk of damage, community hardship and agricultural losses.
The amendment proposes to implement the recommendations of the Lara Flood Study and the Lower Barwon and Lower Moorabool Flood Investigation, which applies to low-lying properties close to the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers between Barwon Heads and Batesford.
It also seeks to apply mapping from the Bellarine Peninsula-Corio Bay Local Coastal Hazard Assessment to properties on the fringe of Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River estuary. The majority of the affected properties are already subject to Greater Geelong Planning Scheme flood overlays.
Mapping from the Lower Barwon and Lower Moorabool Flood Investigation and the Lara Flood Study reflects more accurate flood risk assessment than presently exists, including a reduction in the assessed risk for some properties and the removal of controls from large areas now identified as being at risk of inundation.
The proposed changes to the Floodway Overlay, Special Building Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation controls introduce exemptions from the need for a planning permit for a range of matters, including for upper storey extensions to an existing building within the building’s footprint.
All affected property owners will receive a letter advising them of the changes when the amendment is publicly exhibited later this year.
“The proposed amendment aims to protect residents from harm and avoid property damage and agricultural losses, in areas that are prone to flooding and other risks,” planning portfolio chair Cr Trent Sullivan said.
“Affected residents will be notified when the amendment is made public, so I encourage them and the broader community to view the amendment and give feedback.”
The proposed amendment will be displayed at geelongaustralia.com.au.