ARARAT - Ararat Rural City Council has moved a step forward in its attempts to mitigate the affects of future flooding by completing an Ararat Flood Investigation.
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Council has been updated on the Ararat Flood Investigation and the grant application for funding made by the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.
An application to undertake the investigation was made to the National Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme in May 2013.
Ararat Rural City Councillor, Ian Harris, has welcomed the report on the progress of an investigation he believes is long overdue.
"I'm very pleased to see this going ahead because when we have had some rain, there have been occasions when because we do not have a report like this to rely on it is unfortunate the of number places, number of roads, number of floodways that suddenly appear," he said.
"I think in terms of the overall safety for the community and for issues of building planning that this is a long overdue report and I'll be very pleased to see it finished."
In 2010 and 2011 the region was subject to a number of rain events which caused flooding across the municipality including parts of the Ararat township.
Although there was limited damage to buildings, there was significant damage to infrastructure, inundation of undeveloped land and erosion along a number of creek lines which run through the township.
The Western Highway was also severed to the east of the township and has been identified in the recent Environmental Effects Statement for the Western Highway Duplication.
The flood event highlighted the lack of information on the extent and nature of flooding in the Ararat township and a partnership with the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority was sought to undertake the Ararat Flood Investigation.
The Ararat Flood investigation will provide much needed data to ensure the following outcomes:
Better land use and development planning decisions, based on contemporary flood extent, depth and hazard flood mapping.
A community that is well prepared for flooding based on best practice flood modelling that reflects existing conditions at Ararat.
Well informed emergency response based on up to date flood extent and consequence mapping and detailed flood intelligence plans.
Reduced flood related damage and loss because the community is well prepared.
Director for council services Neil Manning said the study area incorporates reaches of the Hopkins Rivers and the tributaries which run through the township of Ararat including Cemetery Creek.
"The project will provide important flood warning, land use planning, infrastructure capacity information which is considered essential to community safety and future development of the Ararat township and the community will be kept informed on the status of this project," he said.
"Ararat Rural City has worked closely with Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority on the funding application, providing technical support and evidence of the impact of the 2011 flooding and current land use planning.
"The investigation is consistent with the aims of the National Disaster Resilience Grant Scheme (NDRGS) to enhance Australia's resilience to natural disasters through mitigation works, measures and related activities that contribute to safer, sustainable communities better able to withstand the effects of disasters."