Better managing flood risk: planning and building reforms

As our climate changes, planning and building systems need to provide up to date information to help communities, landowners, councils and industry make informed decisions about development.

To help Victorians better plan for, and manage flood risk, we are updating:

• flood risk information
• flood maps
• planning provisions
• building controls.

The new provisions and controls will ensure planners and developers have better access to flood risk information to help make informed decisions about:

• where to build to avoid development in the highest-risk areas
• what to build, to design more resilient structures
• how to build, using flood-safe construction standards.

Flood mapping

Melbourne Water will continue a staged release of updated flood mapping across Greater Melbourne over the next few years. This will inform application of the new flood provisions in metropolitan planning schemes.

New modelling data will be included in planning schemes across Victoria through a state-led, streamlined planning scheme amendment process. The modelling will ensure development decisions account for updated flood risk information.

Existing flood studies prepared by Melbourne Water and regional Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) will be progressively implemented into local planning schemes.

Flood risk based planning provisions and building controls

As part of the reforms, we have introduced new risk-based planning provisions and building controls that correspond to a flood risk rating. This will provide clearer property-level flood risk information to support safer, more appropriate development.

The flood risk ratings (FRR) developed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) are used to categorise flood risk for planning and building purposes and are applied to flood maps.  There are five FRR ranging from low (FRR1) to extreme (FRR5).

The planning provisions and building controls distinguish between risk levels:

• FRR 1 - Low-risk areas, where flood risks can be managed through minimum building standards only
• FRR 2 - Moderate-risk areas, where flood risks can be generally managed through appropriate safeguards
• FRR 3 - High-risk areas, requiring careful assessment of development
• FRR 4 - Very high-risk areas, where it is generally recommended that development be avoided
• FRR 5 - Extreme-risk areas, where natural floodplain function needs to be protected, such that development is generally inappropriate.

In areas with low flood risk, development will be managed through the building system. This will avoid the unnecessary delay of planning applications, provide more certainty and help fast-track housing where safety risks can by managed through building floor levels and design.

The risk-based system will enable appropriate development that responds to the level of flood risk. This will give landowners and industry greater certainty about what housing can be built, where it can be located and how it can be built.

For some urban, higher-risk areas, a local floodplain development plan may provide a set of requirements, guidelines and strategic mitigation activities enabling further urban development compatible with the underlying land use zone.

DTP has prepared the factsheet below for more information;

Guidance

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is preparing new guidelines for mid-rise and high-rise building design in low and moderate flood risk areas to support resilient new and existing buildings in areas deemed appropriate to develop.

We have also updated the planning practice notes to provide guidance to councils, referral authorities and applicants about making an application under the new planning provisions.

DTP, DEECA, floodplain management authorities (Melbourne Water and regional CMAs), and local governments will continue to work together to improve the use of flood risk information in planning and building decisions.

The reforms will help Victoria better communicate and manage flood and climate risks as the state plans for more homes in the places people want to live. They will also support clearer, more consistent decision-making for landowners, planners, developers, councils and industry.

The reforms deliver on Plan for Victoria action 19 to better communicate and manage flood, bushfire and climate hazard risks.

More information

To learn more about floodplain management go to the Floodplain management page.

The Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy also provides broader context on floodplain management reform and statewide responsibilities.

The Melbourne Water Greater Melbourne Flood Information Program page provides guidance on why flood information is important, program timelines and understanding your flood risk.