The Victorian government is giving local councils $22.2 million to fund flood studies, including 32 studies in regional parts of the state.
The state government says the funds are for councils to undertake flood data and mapping, and incorporate flood studies into their planning schemes to help identify at-risk areas as they are required to do.
“This funding will help accelerate flood mapping data studies which will be used to update planning council schemes so they can identify suitable locations for new development and avoid high flood-risk areas,” water minister Harriet Shing said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Councils are best placed to make these decisions, in consultation with the relevant water authority or catchment management authority.
“Funding will also ensure communities and industry are at the heart of flood planning discussions at the local level.”
The package includes:
• $10 million over the next five years to complete an estimated 32 flood studies in regional Victoria
• $5 million over three years to fast-track scoping of future flood mitigation activities
• $3.9 million over the next two years to help councils implement 40 flood studies into Victorian planning schemes
• $2 million over the next two years to establish a program to engage landholders, local builders, and industry.
The government has funded 63 local government flood studies to boost understanding of flood risk across the state since 2016.
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