Key themes
- Home insurance and property devaluation concerns
- Drainage maintenance
- Unsealed roads
- Increased development
- Development approval process
- Coordination among drainage authorities
Stormwater management is an integral part of sustaining our natural environment, economy, health, wellbeing and lifestyle. Indeed, water and flooding are inherent aspects of our natural environment and integral to our municipality's landscape whether we like it or not.
We recognise that floods to people’s properties causes stress and anxiety and that there is a burden of increased property maintenance and/or insurance costs for a section of our community.
While all levels of government endeavour to enhance conditions during rainfall events, this cannot be totally controlled and not every issue has an engineering solution. Changes to weather patterns has also had an impact on the capacity of some of our stormwater drains along with historical development.
The Stormwater Management Plan was adopted by Council on Tuesday 10 September 2024.
In line with recommendations regarding the ongoing progress of this plan, Council is committed to the following actions:
- Council will partner with Melbourne Water to undertake flood mapping for all the identified catchments (2024- 2026).
- Establish a Community Reference Panel to provide community input on stormwater projects and studies under the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP26).
- Update catchment prioritisation following completion of municipal wide flood modelling through active participation with the Community Reference Panel.
Key actions
The Stormwater Management Plan addresses gaps in Council's current stormwater management and outlines a comprehensive strategy to enhance our stormwater infrastructure.
Key actions in the Plan include:
Maps will be developed for key areas using historical data and modern techniques to predict water flow and potential flooding during storm events.
Ageing drainage infrastructure will be updated. The Plan includes a survey of existing drainage assets followed by targeted upgrades based on flood risk assessments and climate change projections.
WSUD principles will be integrated into new developments and public spaces, with measures like permeable pavements, green roofs, and rain gardens to manage runoff.
IWM considers all aspects of the urban water cycle, promoting the use of rainwater and stormwater for non-potable purposes.
Clear standards will be set for stormwater management in new developments, ensuring sustainable practices.
The offsets program allows developers to contribute financially to Council projects, supporting larger-scale infrastructure and sustainable urban development.
The Plan explores various funding mechanisms, ensuring the sustainability of the program and enabling necessary actions to achieve stormwater management goals with our partner agencies.
The Plan includes developing educational materials, establishing a Community Reference Panel for input and feedback, and involving community groups in planning processes.
Community engagement
How did people get involved?
Residents in Yarra Ranges found out about the engagement and got involved in the following ways...
What we heard
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Engagement Feedback Report
Survey participants
We heard from residents across the Yarra Ranges (21 suburbs), including Narre Warren East, Kallista, Lilydale and Coldstream.
Share your story
We have heard from some of you about your experiences of flooding and drainage issues across our municipality - and now we want to tell others.
We face many challenges related to stormwater and flooding across the Yarra Ranges and we need to advocate to other levels of government to find additional funding to help with our ageing infrastructure, existing flood risk, climate change considerations and the quality of our rivers, creeks and waterways.
The best way we can do this is with your powerful stories and personal lived experiences.
If you would like to contribute to Council's Stormwater Advocacy booklet please complete the form below. Please note, a first name and suburb will be needed for this document and photos can be submitted as well. This document will be made available through Council's communication channels and to other levels of government, by completing this form you are agreeing that Council can use your information for those purposes.
Share your story
Stories will be used to create an advocacy booklet, to share with others and raise awareness of the impact of flooding in our region.
Community drop-in session
Yarra Ranges Council respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, as the custodians of this land. We pay respect to all Aboriginal community Elders, past and present, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the history of the region.
