A major boost to flood resilience in northern Victoria has been announced, with confirmation of Disaster Ready Fund support for the Adaptive Management of Urban Stormwater Discharges into Rural Drainage Systems after Extreme Rainfall Events project.
Discharges into Rural Drainage Systems after Extreme Rainfall Events project.
The initiative, led by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA), will develop a practical resource kit to help guide future planning and decision making around urban stormwater discharges into the rural drainage system.
Flooded street in Shepparton
The project focuses on Shepparton as a case study, with lessons to be applied across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.
The project will investigate ways to increase the rate of urban stormwater discharge generated from extreme rainfall events without having wider impacts on agricultural land, the environment or future urban development.
The GB CMA’s NRM project officer Allison McCallum welcomed the funding announcement, saying it represented a turning point for the planning of future urban developments.
“This funding means we can move from reactive fixes to proactive, adaptive solutions,” Ms McCallum said.
Our goal is to enable the stormwater removal from urban areas as quickly and efficiently as practicably possible after extreme rainfall events.
“It’s about protecting homes and businesses while safeguarding farms, waterways and cultural values.”
She said the project, codesigned with councils, water managers and Traditional Owners embedded environmental and cultural considerations alongside engineering solutions. embedding
“Communities will see real benefits — reduced flood risk, clearer planning rules and less disruption during extreme rainfall events,” Ms McCallum said.
“It’s a practical step toward resilience in a changing climate.”
The resource kit will include adaptive discharge standards, design templates and communication materials for councils and developers.
Work is expected to commence early next year following execution of funding agreements.
Project partners include Goulburn-Murray Water, Greater Shepparton City Council and Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, with support from Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.
For more information, visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au.