Flooding In Regional Victoria

Flooding is an ongoing challenge in regional Victoria and it is expected to affect Victoria every 10-20 years. Victoria consists of 39 drainage basins and each of the basins comprises of rivers and streams (Comrie, 2011, pp.17). These rivers and streams are susceptible to flooding, which may impact various regional towns and communities within close proximity to water courses (Comrie, 2011, pp.17). The discussion of flooding is vital, as it is the most frequent occurring natural hazard, which affects approximately 520 million people per year Moore et al.2012, pp.1). Additionally, flooding is responsible for the lives of approximately 25,000 people every year and cost the global economy approximately $50- 60 billion per year (Moore et al.2012,

The Victorian floods recovery report states that high rainfall caused swelling of major rivers and flash flooding in various regional towns (Moore et al.2012, pp.5). The floods caused significant damage to infrastructure, properties and businesses. It is noted that approximately 4000 residential properties were damaged and approximately 4000 businesses were affected (Moore et al.2012, pp.5). The total damages were approximately $1.3 billion, of which $176 million was lost in tourism value and $269 million in agricultural sector (Moore et al.2012, pp.5). Victorian 2010/11 floods not only caused physical damage, but also had long term personal impacts on the various communities (Department of Human Services, 2011, pp.5). The damages created a great deal of anxiety for the local communities, over the fear of personal safety and concerns about the future damages such events could create (Department of Human Services, 2011, pp.5). The damages caused by 2010/11 floods varied and were place specific (Department of Environment, 2013, pp.34). Hence, land use planning plays a critical role in the identification processes of medium-high risk regions (Department of Environment, 2013,

However, there are a number of other towns including Dunolly, where the proposed studies and inundation maps are yet to be completed (Central Goldfields, 2013, pp21). The properties within these towns are still at considerable risk, as information on the like hood of over flooding is not yet available (Central Goldfields, 2013, pp.21). Although the flood inundation maps provide vital information on the depth and extent of floods, however these maps are yet to be incorporated into the planning scheme. The knowledge and identification of flood hazards is of minimal relevance if it is not translated into relevant scheme controls and mechanisms dealing with them (Comrie, 2011,