Extreme weather, stormwater and flood zones in Yarra

Yarra Council’s first stormwater flood modelling will push more than 22,000 properties, or roughly 40% of all properties in Yarra, into flood zones. The modelling was released in early July causing an outcry from residents surprised by the findings and concerned about impacts on insurance and property values. People were also asking why Council could not do more to mitigate the problem.

To discuss these issues, join us at a special FRA Pubtalk on the 5th of August. You will hear the reasons behind the modelling, what it says about likely flood impacts on properties and, Council’s proposed response. You will hear from experts on climate change and urban planning and others on how to create more climate resilient urban infrastructure with examples from similar situations internationally.

Our speakers

Two staff from Yarra Council will attend and speak: Kathryn Pound, Manager Statutory Planning who presented the work to Council and Peter Moran, Manager Infrastructure, Traffic and Civil Engineering. 

Professor Alan March from Melbourne University, an expert on planning and urban design, will discuss his research on how disaster risks can be mitigated and how we can change to meet the challenges of climate change

Tanel Mätlik, heads an EU-funded project looking at stormwater overload in Estonia and Latvia. The five-year project will develop and test measures do deal with stormwater flooding and how nature-based and smart solutions can improve urban resilience.