State funding for Painkalac Creek flooding study

THE Surf Coast Shire will investigate new flood mitigation strategies at Aireys Inlet as part of a broader study into climate change impacts at the region’s waterways.

The shire received a state government funding grant that will allow it to progress its Painkalac Estuary Flood Risk Project.

The shire presently opens the estuary as its primary flood mitigation action, and says it has increasingly used the measure as changes to climactic conditions has increased frequency of flood risk events.

Forcing estuaries open is generally not a preferred action to reduce flood risk as it risks altering natural environment processes at affected waterways.

The method is used in situations when built infrastructure like roads and buildings are at risk of flooding.

The shire’s community life general manager Community Life Gail Gatt said the coming study would be an important step towards finding new methods to manage the estuary.

“We thank the Victorian Government for this funding, which will allow us to undertake coastal modelling to better understand the impacts of climate on the Painkalac Estuary, such as sea level rises and storm surges.”

A review into flood mitigation at Painkalac Creek was recommended in the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority’s Corangamite Regional Floodplain Management Strategy in 2018, and a working group of relevant agenecies and a community representative formed in 2021 to consider solutions.

The shire indicated a second stage of its project would require further funding to broaden the study’s scope to a riverine flood study and future mitigation actions it must plan for.

The grant was part of a $1 million fund under the state government’s Victoria’s Resilient Coast grants program.

“Victoria’s precious coastline is already being impacted by climate change and these grants will help us prepare for future challenges,” Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt said.