What’s happening now?

After an extensive global tender process, we are in the final stages of selecting a specialist team to deliver a detailed flood mitigation study for the Maribyrnong River catchment. This important technical study will identify and assess flood mitigation solutions that will prioritise community safety and reduce flood risk.

This study will ensure:

  • Comprehensive mitigation solutions for specific areas impacted within the Maribyrnong River catchment. Both large-scale catchment-wide solutions, and a mix of precinct or smaller-scale options would be considered
  • The Maribyrnong River community is included in the project, at key points, such as the identification and assessment of options, and finalisation of recommendations
  • Best practice economic, environmental, social, cultural and cost analysis of potential solutions.

Mitigation solutions could include a range of options, such as:

  • infrastructure, such as levees, retarding basins and/or improved drainage
  • water management strategies and projects
  • flood resilient building and design features.

We’re currently reviewing tender submissions and working to appoint the specialist team before the end of the year. We anticipate this study will take up to 18 months to complete, with the timeframe to be confirmed once the specialist team is selected.

This is a significant step towards protecting the Maribyrnong River catchment area and ensuring the community is well prepared.

Our commitment to you

As part of the mitigation study process, we are committed to:

  • ongoing and comprehensive community engagement
  • providing timely project information where community members can access it
  • translating all engagement information and communications for the diverse community who call the Maribyrnong River catchment home
  • delivering a range of tailored support, including 1:1 information sessions, in locations that suit you
  • transparent outcomes and decision-making.

Upcoming milestones

In early 2025 we will share more information on the Maribyrnong River catchment flood mitigation study, once the specialist team has been appointed. This includes:

  • project timelines for the key stages of the mitigation study process
  • ways the community can get involved at each project stage
  • how community views will inform decision-making.

This information will be provided to local residents directly, as well as publicised via media, social media, and this webpage. More than 100 residents have already registered to receive updates and we encourage all interested residents to subscribe by clicking the ‘follow’ button at the top of this page.

Community engagement begins in early 2025 and will continue throughout each of the mitigation study stages. It will include information sessions held at accessible locations throughout the Maribyrnong River catchment.

The best flood risk management options will undergo detailed community assessment to make sure the mitigation works meet community expectations.

What’s happened so far

Work on the mitigation study began last year, with a desktop review of past flood mitigation studies:

You’ve told us that you want to see more:

  • transparency
  • communications
  • ways and opportunities to be involved.

How to get involved

We know the community want to have a say on mitigation options. In the coming months, we’ll seek your input on this work. We’ll keep you updated and give you opportunities to participate in the study.

We encourage you to have your say and register your interest in the mitigation study below. You'll then have the opportunity to feedback on the most suitable mitigation options once community engagement begins in early 2025.