Flooding and Stormwater Management Community Reference Panel Update

The Flooding and Stormwater Management Community Reference Panel (CRP) has continued meeting throughout 2024, contributing valuable community insights to help guide the development of our:

Manningham Flood Mapping Project
Stormwater Management Policy
Integrated Water Management Strategy.

Below is a summary of the key points as discussed at our most recent meetings:

Flood modelling and mapping

An explanation of the differences in behaviour between local catchment and regional scale riverine flooding was provided to the CRP.
Melbourne Water and Council are jointly working to deliver the flood modelling and mapping for Manningham. Flood modelling is underway in respect of the Ruffey Lake, Mullum Mullum Creek, Jumping Creek, Brushy Creek and Andersons Creek catchments.
Independent peer reviews of the flood models are being undertaken on a catchment-by-catchment basis.
The process for verifying the flood modelling results was also presented by Council’s flood modelling consultant.
Flood management approaches, including capital works, asset management and maintenance, community education and flood modelling and the roles of Melbourne Water and Council, were discussed with the CRP. The importance of flood modelling in informing understanding of flood risk was presented to the CRP.

Stormwater Management Policy

With the assistance of the CRP, Council has developed a Stormwater Management Policy, which was adopted by Council on 16 September 2024.
Work on data driven capital drainage project prioritisation to mitigate flooding is also underway.
The Integrated Water Management (IWM) Strategy focuses on the whole water cycle and overarches the Stormwater Management Policy. The flood mapping work will inform the proposed IWM Strategy and future drainage capital works priorities.

Proposed Integrated Water Management Strategy

The role of the CRP in developing the IWM Strategy was discussed and includes:
- assistance with developing options to address stormwater management risks
- input into community messaging and engagement
- review of the draft strategy and action plan prior to broader community engagement
- discussion of themes arising from community submissions from the public exhibition.
It was reported that applications were successfully made for grant funds from Melbourne Water to part fund consultancy services in support of the IWM Strategy development.
E2Designlab were engaged to provide technical support for the IWM Strategy development and presented to the CRP.
The CRP developed Manningham’s draft vision for the IWM Strategy as follows: Manningham is an adaptable community that values water as a vital resource for present and future generations. Through sustainable integrated water management, we will conserve water, improve waterway health, reduce flood risk and support community wellbeing.
Work is underway on the development of an IWM Masterplan, which will identify potential projects for delivery through the proposed IWM Strategy Action Plan. Projects are proposed to include stormwater harvesting and stormwater quality improvement opportunities such as wetlands.
The CRP has been engaged in shortlisting projects for inclusion in the Master Plan and the development of project prioritisation criteria. Preliminary shortlisting from 30 potential projects, down to five, has been completed. Concept plans, asset benefits and cost estimates will be developed for the preferred five projects.
The CRP has been engaged regarding community engagement initiatives including the Water Stories campaign and a proposed community roadshow.
On the first anniversary of the CRP, Chair Councillor Lange recognised the CRP members and thanked them for their contribution.

More information

Full meeting minutes are available via the links below: