Inner-west residents are being invited to have their say on how to reduce the flood risk in the Maribyrnong River.
The Maribyrnong River Flood Mitigation Study is being conducted by Melbourne Water to investigate ways to make the river less flood prone, both now and into the future.
The first phase of the study involves seeking feedback from the local community, including residents of inner-west suburbs such as Footscray, Maidstone and Maribyrnong that were affected by the river’s last major flood three years ago.
More than 500 properties were impacted and hundreds of residents displaced when the Maribyrnong burst its banks in the early hours of October 14, 2022.
The the flood mitigation study aims to identify both structural and non-structural flood management solutions for the lower Maribyrnong catchment area to protect residents from similar events in the future.
Melbourne Water’s general manager of service asset and lifecycle, Craig Dixon, said any solutions had to be informed by community feedback in order to be effective.
“Working together with the community on the study means that the flood mitigation proposals will reflect the needs of the people who live, work and enjoy the open spaces along the river,” Mr Dixon said.
The study is anticipated to take up to 18 months to complete and will offer a range of ways for local residents to get involved, including information sessions, pop-up stalls, community outreach and online engagement.
The first opportunity to participate will be a webinar in February where attendees can meet the project team and find out more about the study.
Jacobs, one of the world’s largest providers of flood modelling and mitigation services, has been employed by Melbourne Water to conduct the study and design a flood mitigation plan specific to the needs of the Maribyrnong River and the surrounding community.
“This important process will take time, and it’s essential that we get it right,” said Mr Dixon.
To stay up to date on opportunities to participate in the Maribyrnong River Flood Mitigation Study, community members can register their interest on the project webpage:
https://letstalk.melbournewater.com.au/maribyrnong-river-flood-model/flood-mitigation-study
