Council has endorsed the Lara Flood Study, which will inform future work to protect residents, property, community infrastructure, floodplain areas and waterways from flooding and improve safety.
The Lara Flood Study was supported by the Victorian Government through the Natural Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme to better understand the impact of flooding around Hovells Creek and the Avalon Road catchment, with the aim of improving preparation, response and land use planning. It’s produced detailed and up-to-date mapping showing the areas of Lara at risk of flooding.
The study has found that the damage bill for a major flood likely to occur once every 100 years would be more than $1.2 million.
As a result of the study, the City has committed to a number of actions, including:
- share the latest flood data with the community, State Emergency Service (SES) Victoria and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to assist in flood preparation
- carry out structural mitigation works that could reduce flooding problems in several low-lying areas
- improve the flood warning system
- prepare and exhibit an amendment for public feedback, to implement the study’s findings into the planning scheme and
- improve how drainage infrastructure, roads and transport are managed.
The Lara community has experienced significant flooding events since 1933, as well as localised flooding. The new flood mapping indicates that the total number of properties in Lara now vulnerable to flooding is 6,152. The region’s growing population and economy, as well as climate change, are putting pressure on stormwater systems.
Community members were heavily consulted during the study, which was commissioned in 2018, through workshops and online survey participation. A fact sheet called ‘Managing Flood Risks in Lara’ has been developed to help residents understand the findings and what the City plans to do to manage flood risks.
Councillor Kylie Grzybek – Acting Mayor
The Lara Flood Study, which is supported by a review of historical data, flood modelling analysis and impact assessments, will help reduce property damage from flooding and risk to life in the future.
I thank all community members who took the time to detail past experiences of flooding in the area and give feedback.
Councillor Anthony Aitken – Chair, Parks, Gardens and City Services portfolio
This important study is the first one in more than 30 years to map flood risks in Lara, which experiences significant riverine and stormwater flooding. Modern techniques and engineering technology were used to properly measure and fully map the area.
This study has given us a greater understanding of risks and potential mitigation measures, which will lead to better preparation and response from the City, community, emergency services and other agencies.
