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

Your feedback and insights are key to the success of the study.

Latest updates

We’ll be in touch soon with more information on upcoming milestones and activities. To receive email updates on the study and future opportunities to get involved, select the ‘follow’ button at the top of this page.

  • What you’ve told us

    In Phase 1 of the study, you shared what you value about your local environment and community, and mitigation options you’d like to see explored.

    Read the summary report 

  • Floor level surveys

    Over the coming months we’re undertaking building floor level surveys for some properties across the Maribyrnong River catchment.

    Find out what to expect 

Ways to get involved

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:

Traditional options

For example:

  • reservoirs
  • dams
  • retarding basins.

Innovative options

For example:

  • nature-based solutions such as restoring wetlands
  • creating ‘spongy’ catchment areas where the hard surfaces of urban areas are cleared to allow the landscape to absorb water.

Traditional options

For example:

  • zoning and development restrictions
  • flood warning systems
  • community education
  • emergency management plans.

Innovative options

For example:

  • flood-resilient homes
  • improved preparedness through community response rehearsals.

Given the size and diversity of the Maribyrnong River catchment, the study is likely to identify a number of flood mitigation options. These might include options that could be implemented in the short and medium term (at least 5 years), and others which will take considerable time to implement (at least 10-15 years).

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

Diagram of 4 phases of the study in 2025-26, showing how community engagement and feedback shape decisions at each phase.

How your input and feedback will be used

We’ll seek your input at every stage of the study, so it helps to shape crucial decisions as they’re made – including:

  • identifying potential flood mitigation options
  • developing the evaluation criteria and cost-benefit analysis to assess the mitigation options
  • reviewing and narrowing the flood mitigation ‘long-list’ of options into a ‘shortlist’
  • shaping the development of a preferred mitigation scheme, based on the ‘shortlist’ of mitigation options.

Throughout the study, we’ll report back on how your feedback and contributions have been used. We’ll also seek your feedback on the engagement process itself, to inform how we engage with you in future phases of the study.

Diagram showing the evaluation criteria used to shorten the long-list of mitigation options into a short-list, which are then assessed against evaluation criteria and a cost-benefit analysis.

Diagram of community engagement program, showing activities mapped to 4 stages that run from early-mid 2025 to early-mid 2026.

  • ​What we heard: your experience with flooding

    Our online survey asked about your experiences and ideas for flood mitigation options to inform a ‘long-list’ of potential options.

    Read a summary of findings 

What’s next

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.