Arrangements for Flood Warning Services in Victoria
February 2001

Municipal councils are the lead authority in the development, installation, management and maintenance of flood warning systems which are aimed at meeting needs of local communities. This responsibility includes aspects of data collection networks, community alerting methods, disseminating flood warnings and flood related information to the community, flash flooding, flood sub plan of the MEMP, flood information guides for the community, and community education. Coordination and assistance is provided by the VFWCC.

As such, councils are generally responsible for the operation and maintenance (o&m) costs of rainfall stations and the flood warning component of flow stations used for flood warning as part of an upgraded system. Municipal councils would also normally be expected to cover the replacement costs of their flood warning system equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. These networks will be supported in accordance with the roles and responsibilities set out for flood warning data collection networks.

In the case of flash flood warning systems the local council will install, operate and maintain the system and also provide predictions of stream levels as a result of flash flooding. The BoM will support these systems through the provisions set out for flash flooding. In Greater Melbourne where flash flooding can overlap several Local Government boundaries Melbourne Water may be able to provide assistance to Local Government.

Councils will monitor significant flood events, particularly in urban areas, and collect real event flood data (Section 4.12).

Councils with flood risk areas will prepare a flood sub plan as part of its Municipal Emergency Management Plan which details local strategies for flood management.

The community have the responsibility to protect their family and property from the damaging effects of flood. This includes a responsibility to:

• look after themselves and their neighbours;
• take positive action before the flood to determine how floods impact on their property;
• decide whether to evacuate or try to move things before the water arrives;
• avoid putting themselves and others at risk; and
• advise the appropriate agency of any observations pertaining to the flood.

Protecting property, Echuca, 11 October 1993. Photograph, 'The Herald & Weekly Times' photographic collection

'Traralgon and rural surrounds Flood Response Guidelines for the community', by LaTrobe Shire Council