Manningham Council is developing a Stormwater Management Strategy (Strategy) to help identify, manage and reduce flood risk to people, property, infrastructure and the environment.
The Strategy will be informed by Council endorsed documents, existing data, customer requests, flood mapping information and internal stakeholder feedback.
Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange said: “With a rapidly changing climate, population growth and increased development, effective stormwater management is critical in supporting a healthy, safe and resilient community.”
“As identified in our endorsed Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), we’re committed to sustainably, mitigating against, and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The management of flood risk is also a significant strategic outcome included in the Yarra Strategic Plan,” Cr Lange said.
“Flooding is an inevitable part of our weather cycle. With more frequent and extreme weather events projected, we need to be proactive and consider how we can improve our preparedness and flood resilience.
“To achieve this, we’re leveraging customer and flood data to help inform the Stormwater Management Strategy – setting priorities to help us sustainably meet the challenges ahead,” Cr Lange said.
The Strategy forms part of Council’s approach to managing flooding and stormwater for a resilient future for Manningham. It will provide clear objectives to help guide stormwater planning and delivery of future projects and infrastructure as part of the long-term Capital Works Program.
It will comprise a two-part document including:
- Stormwater Management Policy: a framework detailing the methodology and criteria for prioritisation of Council’s future drainage capital works projects.
- Future Works Plan: a prioritised list of future capital works projects within the municipality.
It will also identify current regulatory obligations relating to stormwater management flood risk and safety controls, considering residual and future flood risk management standards.
Council is undertaking several flooding and stormwater management initiatives, aimed at building a more resilient and liveable Manningham and facilitating robust planning for the future.
Part of this work includes developing a draft Integrated Water Management Strategy, which will respond to emerging water risks and challenges and identify opportunities to adapt to a more water constrained future.
Together with Melbourne Water, Council is also preparing comprehensive flood mapping to better identify and respond to areas of flood risk throughout Manningham.
In August 2022, Council appointed a Flooding and Stormwater Management Community Reference Panel, providing a direct link between Council and representatives of the Manningham community.
In informing Council’s deliberations, the Panel is helping support quality transparent decision making processes, to best place the Manningham community to proactively address emerging water challenges.
Council will consider the draft Stormwater Management Strategy Policy for adoption in August 2024. The Strategy is expected to be completed in late 2024.
For further information on our flooding and stormwater management initiatives, visit the Flooding and Stormwater Management Your Say Manningham page.
