Tidal change: City’s planning protections for the future

COASTAL properties prone to future flood events and climate change-induced sea level rise will be covered in an amendment to the existing planning scheme controls.
On Tuesday, last week Geelong council adopted amendment C394GG44, a new Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO) to help reduce future risks associated with climate change, referring the amendment to the Minister for Planning for approval.
The amendment includes planning scheme policy changes and applies the overlay to 1,600 properties around the Bellarine Peninsula and Corio Bay, based on the state policy of planning for a 0.8 metre sea level rise by 2100 and a severe storm surge event.
Council said many properties are already covered by flood overlays and this one will help reduce risks to public safety and damage to properties.
The areas that will be covered by the amendment are parts of Geelong, Portarlington, Moolap, Newcomb, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Indented Head, St Leonards, Swan Bay, Barwon River estuary, Avalon and Breamlea.
Point Lonsdale is excluded for now but will undergo further flood modelling that considers The Point waterway system, which is still being constructed.
CoGG Planning chair Cr Trent Sullivan said the overlay means a planning permit would be needed for buildings and works but “building an extra storey for an existing home or adding a deck or verandah that’s less than 20sqm, won’t need a planning permit”.
“This amendment will cover 1,600 properties, including 1,244 residences, and put these areas in line with state government planning policy.
“It won’t be a ‘set and forget’ amendment but will require updating over time and as more scientific information comes to light.”
Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the amendment showed forward thinking for the future protection of residents.
“By acting on the modelling available, this amendment will help protect residents, properties and agriculture that are predicted to be affected by future sea level rises, tides, storm surges and coastal processes,” Cr Asher said.
Permit applications would be referred to the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, which would typically require floor levels to be set above the predicted flood level with an allowance for sea level rise; this will ensure the inside of dwellings are protected from flooding.
Last year, the council last year referred 43 public submissions, 39 of which were objections, to an independent panel for consideration.
The city said the panel reported in April that it supports the amendment and praised council for its “forward looking and proactive approach in preparing the amendment”.
The panel found the amendment is “well founded” and will benefit the community.