This study forms part of the work needed to identify, develop and implement flood mitigation options that will help to reduce flood risk, while also reflecting community values as much as possible.

Your feedback and insights will be key to the success of the study.

About the study

The study will investigate flood mitigation options which aim to support a reduction in future flood risk, and which prioritise the safety of communities in the catchment area. These could include:

• Structural flood mitigations
  • Traditional options like reservoirs, dams and retarding basins that temporarily store water during heavy rain
  • Innovative options like nature-based options, such as restoring wetlands or creating ‘spongy’ catchment areas where the hard surfaces of urban areas are cleared so the landscape can absorb water
• Non-structural flood mitigations
  • Traditional options like zoning and development restrictions or flood insurance
  • Innovative options like flood warning systems, community education or emergency management plans.

Given the size and diversity of the Maribyrnong River catchment, it’s unlikely that just one flood mitigation option will be identified. The study is likely to identify a number of options which could be implemented in the short term and medium term (a minimum of 5 years), and others which will take considerable time to implement (a minimum of 10-15 years).

The study started in early 2025 and is expected to finish by mid-2026.

Share what matters most to you

How your input and feedback will be used

Our engagement process seeks community feedback at every stage of the study, meaning your input will help shape crucial decisions as they are made.

Your feedback will help to:

• identify potential flood mitigation options
• develop the evaluation criteria and cost-benefit analysis to assess the mitigation options
• review and narrow the flood mitigation ‘long-list’ of options into a ‘short-list’
• shape the development of a preferred mitigation scheme, based on the ‘short-list’ of mitigation options.

We will report back throughout the life of the study on how your feedback and contributions have been used.

Additionally, at each phase of engagement we’ll seek your feedback on the engagement process itself, including your preferred communication methods and how we can improve activities. Your insights will help inform how we engage with you during future phases of the study.

What’s next

Sunday 1 June 2025:

• Phase 1 engagement ends

Mid-2025:

• Seek community feedback on the engagement approach so far – what is working and what could be improved?
• Review feedback collected during Phase 1 engagement and finalise the evaluation criteria and cost-benefit analysis
• Prepare a long-list of potential flood mitigation options considering community feedback, the findings of past studies and other technical factors.

Mid-late 2025:

• Phase 2 engagement begins
• Share the evaluation criteria, cost-benefit analysis and long-list of potential flood mitigation options
• Community will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the long-list of mitigation options.