By Andrew Paloczi
SOUTH Gippsland Shire councillors acknowledged the need for a proactive approach to the increasing frequency of significant flood events but expressed reservations about the potential impacts of integrating available Flood Overlay mapping into the South Gippsland Planning Scheme.
Councillors voted at Wednesday’s council meeting to seek written consent from the Minister for Planning to prepare and give notice of a draft Planning Scheme Amendment to the South Gippsland Planning Scheme, to implement a host of flood studies, which combined encompass a significant portion of the shire.
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority prepared the studies pertaining to areas within its jurisdiction and has developed corresponding Flood Overlay mapping intended for integration into the South Gippsland Planning Scheme.
“Council has proactively secured funding through the State Government’s Regional Flood-Related Amendments Program to facilitate the implementation of these adopted flood studies into the South Gippsland Planning Scheme,” the June council meeting agenda states.
It is stressed that the comprehensive planning scheme amendment process will include extensive public consultation, ensuring all interested parties can provide submissions to council and an independent Standing Advisory Committee for consideration before any modifications are made to the South Gippsland Planning Scheme.
Cr Nathan Hersey, speaking at Wednesday's meeting, successfully moved a motion different to the recommendation before councillors, to ensure any landowners who would be impacted are appropriately notified.
His motion stated, “Council commits to undertaking a transparent and inclusive consultation process during the exhibition of the draft Planning Scheme Amendments to implement the flood studies.”
Specifically, it calls for written notice to all owners and occupiers of affected land identified in the mapping, broad engagement with wider affected township communities and information sessions to ensure everyone is aware of the situation and able to participate and engage.
Cr Hersey highlighted the challenges ahead, noting that adopting and acting on the flood studies and overlays will affect many South Gippsland properties, with potential impacts on insurance and on property values.
“We are obliged as a local government to undertake a process where we identify and consider flood risk in mapping and planning decisions,” he said.
Cr Sarah Gilligan noted there is a focus on flooding across Victoria and Australia more broadly.
“It’s important we start recognising areas that are vulnerable and putting them into our planning schemes,” she said, noting the longer council sits on information without acting, the more liable it becomes.
She urges community members to play an active role, saying council is there to support and engage with them, with the aim being to help communities adapt.
Mayor John Schelling expressed concern about the potential impacts of flood-related planning scheme changes, encouraging community members to engage, and saying that if they sit back and don’t play an active part there may be huge ramifications for the area.
The list of flood studies to be implemented is staggering in its size.
It is:
a) Floodplain mapping for Hedley, 2024
b) Floodplain mapping for Shady Creek, Welshpool, 2024
c) 1486-1488 & 1492 Korumburra-Wonthaggi Road, Kongwak – Preliminary flood analysis (Kongwak Butter & Cheese), 2023
d) Inverloch Region Coastal Hazard Assessment, 2022
e) Flood impact assessment - 421 Barry Road, Welshpool, 2021
f) Flood and drainage study for Foster and surrounding catchments, 2019
g) Floodplain mapping for Tarwin River East Branch, 2019
h) Floodplain mapping for Tarwin River West Branch, 2019
i) Floodplain mapping for Fish Creek, 2018
j) Corner Inlet Dynamic Storm Tide Modelling Assessment, 2014
k) The Effect of Climate Change on Extreme Sea Levels along Victoria’s Coast, 2009
Those wanting to explore the details contained in flood studies relating to their local area can find them on council’s website among the many separate attachments associated with the June council agenda.
