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New draft stormwater flood maps for the Brimbank and Hobsons Bay Local Government Areas are now available online for community consultation, allowing residents and property owners to check their address, understand what stormwater flood risk could look like for their property and provide feedback.
The draft stormwater flood maps show that the majority of properties in both LGAs are not at risk from stormwater flooding. In Brimbank, 87% of properties are unaffected. In Hobsons Bay, around 72% of the properties in the LGA are not at risk.
In Brimbank, approximately 11,820 properties, around 13% of the LGA, could be affected by stormwater flooding in a significant rainfall event. Of those, about 84% are in the two lowest hazard categories, rated H1 or H2, which are generally considered safe for people and buildings.
In Hobsons Bay, nearly 15,420 properties, around 28% of the LGA, could be affected. Of those, more than nine in ten (91%) are rated H1 or H2, generally considered safe for people and buildings.
For those households, the practical response is awareness and preparedness rather than significant action. The remaining flood-affected properties are spread across the higher hazard bands, with detailed information available for each address through the online maps.
The draft stormwater flood maps cover regional (Melbourne Water) and local (council) stormwater drainage infrastructure, including smaller waterways, such as Cherry Creek and Laverton Creek. They do not include flooding from major rivers or the sea.
Riverine and coastal flood risk are modelled and communicated separately, and a property’s overall flood risk may include factors beyond what these draft maps show.
The draft stormwater flood maps were developed using modern flood modelling techniques aligned with current national standards. They include drainage systems never previously modelled, and for the first time bring regional and local stormwater drainage together in a single map.
“We encourage every resident and property owner in Brimbank and Hobsons Bay to check their address,” said Melbourne Water Executive General Manager, Service Futures, Chris Brace.
“For most people, the draft maps will confirm they are not at flood risk, or that their risk is lower than they might have expected. For those who are affected, we want to make sure they have clear and practical information about what that means for their property.”
Residents and property owners whose properties are identified as potentially at flood risk will receive a letter from Melbourne Water during the consultation period, with a QR code providing access to further information about property-specific hazard rating and how to provide feedback.
Melbourne Water experts will also be available at community sessions to answer questions, explain what hazard ratings mean in practice, and hear local knowledge that could help refine the final flood maps.
The draft stormwater flood maps are open for community feedback. They do not change any planning controls. Any future changes to planning controls will involve a separate formal process, including public exhibition and independent review, in which residents can have their say.
The Brimbank and Hobsons Bay maps are part of the Greater Melbourne Flood Information Program, which will cover all 38 council areas across Greater Melbourne. Draft stormwater flood maps have already been released for Banyule, Moonee Valley, Darebin, Yarra, Glen Eira and Merri-bek.
View the draft stormwater flood maps and register for a community session at:
