Approval for Birregurra Flood Amendment

Published on 07 September 2022

The Minister for Planning has given approval to the Birregurra Flood Study Planning Scheme Amendment C116cola (the Amendment) after full support being granted by an independent planning panel in June. The Amendment has been adopted as exhibited, subject to excluding a minor part of one submitter’s land from the overlay provisions.

“This has been a multi-year process working with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, as well as the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority,” said Mayor Kate Hanson. “It’s a great result for the community, and responds to local flood events and ongoing pressure for development in Birregurra.”

The Amendment changes the mapping of flood-based overlays in Birregurra so they align with updated mapping of flood prone land in the Birregurra Flood and Drainage Strategy.

“The new planning overlays will ensure that future development in Birregurra is responsive to future high rainfall events,” said Mayor Hanson. 

Flooding in Birregurra has in recent years demonstrated that planning controls haven’t accurately reflected the areas of flood risk, and development in some areas has been impacted by floodwaters.

The Amendment was placed on public exhibition in September 2021, attracting five submissions. One submission was from the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA), which supported the Amendment. All submitters had the opportunity to verbally present their submissions to the Panel.

“Council thanks everyone who engaged with the public exhibition process and took the time to make a submission,” said Mayor Hanson.

The Amendment will come into effect when notice of its approval is published in the Victoria Government Gazette.