Melbourne is a water city. Water has always had an active and vital presence in Melbourne. Prior to European settlement the landscape included the Birrarung (Yarra River), Moonee Moonee Chain of Ponds, Maribyrnong River and low lying areas, which would often flood as part of natural cycles. This ecosystem supported an abundance of habitat for wildlife and provided food and an important meeting place for events of social, educational, sporting and cultural significance for the Eastern Kulin Nations.

Over time, urbanisation resulted in permeable ground surfaces being sealed for roads, footpaths and buildings. The natural flow of our rivers and creeks were also altered. This treatment makes it harder for storm water to be absorbed by the landscape, increasing the potential for stormwater runoff and flood events.

Additionally, climate change increases the occurrence of sudden storms and intense rainfall events, as well as significant sea level rise.

By understanding the latest data on climate change and learning from previous flood events, we can build a more resilient city that is better prepared to respond to extreme weather.

There are three main types of flooding: coastal, rainfall and riverine. Collectively, this is called inundation, and must be imagined and managed as a system. When parts of our city experience flooding, it can cause damage to property, disruptions to transport or utility services, and put people’s wellbeing at risk.

• Storm surge is flooding of low-lying areas by ocean waters caused by higher than normal sea level, due to tidal or storm-driven coastal events, including storm surges in lower coastal waterways.
• Stormwater or overland flooding is defined as inundation by local runoff caused by heavier than usual rainfall. It can result from local runoff exceeding the capacity of an urban stormwater drainage system or water backing up urban stormwater drainage systems.
• Riverine flooding is the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of a lake, river, creek or other natural watercourse (whether or not altered or modified) or a reservoir, canal or dam.
  

As Melbourne grows, adapting to climate change and safeguarding our city against the impacts of flooding is integral to ensuring a resilient and sustainable future.

Amendment C384 is a planning regulation tool that will give us buildings in the future that are designed and constructed to limit potential flood impacts.

We also employ a variety of infrastructure flood-mitigation methods in the public realm including; water-sensitive landscaping, rain gardens, stormwater harvesting, non-return valves on stormwater drains, retarding basins, flood gates, levies, tidal barrages etc.

The State Emergency Services (SES) recommend planning ahead to stay safe. There are five steps each one of us can take to be better prepared for flood.