Residents living in flood prone areas along the Maribyrnong River will receive new charts to help them assess the level of risk to their property.
As part of new pilot program jointly run by Maribyrnong council, Melbourne Water and VICSES, Property Flood Risk Cards (PFRCs) will be distributed to homes in high flood risk areas via a door knocking campaign in August.
“These cards are a resource for the community to understand their flood risk,” a Melbourne Water spokesperson said.
“The information provided indicates at what forecast river flood height flood waters may reach resident properties.”
Flood charts were distributed to households in high risk areas up until the mid-2000’s and similar style charts were distributed to Maribyrnong residents in 2013.
Whether the distribution of PFRCs will return permanently will depend on the outcome of the pilot program, but the fact they are being trialled at all has been welcomed by Maribyrnong Community Recovery Association (MCRA) president Madeline Serle who has been campaigning for their return.
“MCRA believe PSFCs are the key to community flood preparedness and will help protect lives and property,” said Ms Serle who established the MCRA following the 2022 Maribyrnong River floods.
She said flood risk cards or charts work because they provide property owners with a picture of what the projected water level would do to their home.
“This enables a resident to know the two most important things in a flood: one- will flood water reach their curb, and two – will flood water enter their home.
“Residents can then make informed safe choices in a flood emergency.”
Ms Serle also welcomed the continuation of another measure the MCRA has campaigned for: free memberships at the Maribyrnong Aquatics Centre (MAC) for residents affected by the 2022 floods.
Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari has confirmed that after strong community feedback, the free membership program will be extended to December.
“I am incredibly proud of getting the MAC program up and going,” Ms Serle said.
“It has made a real difference to families trying to rebuild their lives after the floods.”
