Ballarat 11 Waterways

Community Engagement Summary

Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation on Ballarat’s updated flood modelling.


Here’s what we did:

  • We shared detailed flood modelling results, including PDF maps and an interactive online map, on the MySay website.
  • Letters were sent to 5,460 property owners and occupiers identified as being in potential flood-prone areas.• We promoted the consultation through weekly notices in the Ballarat Times and issued media releases at the start and end of the engagement.
  • A community information session was held on 11 July 2024. Representatives from the City of Ballarat (Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Engineering), Corangamite CMA, Water Technology (flood modelling consultants), and SES attended. The session had 87 registrations and 71 people joined on the day.• We received 56 written submissions from the community, including one petition.

What’s happening now?
We’re updating the flood models for Redan and Canadian Creeks and their tributaries in response to community submissions.
Flood Mapping Engagement Summary

Flood Planning in Ballarat

The City of Ballarat and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) are working together to plan for flooding across 11 waterways in Ballarat.

Flooding can cause serious damage to homes and pose a risk to lives. Flood planning helps us:

  • Identify flood risks

    Pinpoint areas most likely to experience flooding during heavy rain events.

  • Guide land use decisions

    Allow for better decisions on new development proposals.

  • Plan for flood protection

    Identify where infrastructure like drainage or levees might reduce future risk.

  • Support emergency response

    Help the SES and other emergency services prepare for and respond to major flood events.

  • Help the community prepare

    Give residents the information they need to protect their homes and stay safe.

  • CCMA in partnership with the City of Ballarat

    Together, the CCMA and the City of Ballarat are the statutory authorities responsible for the collection of flood information and for land use planning in flood-affected areas in the Ballarat municipality.

    More information here 

What is the Flood Planning Process?

Flood planning requires flood models be prepared with consideration of the following inputs:

  1. Hydrology modelling – looking at rainfall, runoff and how water flows through the landscape
  2. Hydraulics modelling – measuring things like flood height, speed and spread
  3. Calibration – checking models against known historic flood events
  4. Risk assessment – understanding what impact floods of different sizes could have in certain areas

What does Flood Planning Deliver?

Flood planning provides tools and recommendations to guide decision-making, including:

  • Flood modelling to support the CCMA in responding to planning referrals and flood advice requests
  • Flood modelling to support a draft Planning Scheme Amendment to introduce flood provisions in the Ballarat Planning Scheme

A number of recommendations from the flood modelling are made for each relevant agency including the City of Ballarat, CCMA and Vic State Emergency Service, including:

  • Updates to the Municipal Flood Emergency Plan (MFEP)
  • Upload the mapping data to FloodZoom and the Victorian Digital Twin database
  • Preferred options for flood mitigation measures

Why is this Important for Ballarat's Future?

Flood planning ensures we can grow safely and sustainably by:

  • Identifying flood-prone land
  • Ensuring flood risk is factored into land use decisions
  • Meeting our obligations under key legislation


Legislation behind this work includes:

Infographic: By 2041 Ballarat's population will grow by 55,000, Ballarat's existing and future growth areas will need to plan for around $2 billion of new infrastructure, Ballarat will need an extra 29,000 homes by 2041, Ballarat needs to plan for 17,500