WELLINGTON Shire Council has endorsed new updated measures under the Building Regulations to manage floor levels in flood-prone urban areas within Port Albert.
The decision underlines council’s commitment to effective flood risk management, despite certain urban areas being excluded from flood control planning provisions by the state government back in 2014.
In the absence of flood management provision within the urban areas of Port Albert, a robust approach remains necessary to address potential flood impacts, particularly with the threat of sea-level rise predicted by current modelling.
Under the updated measures, new development proposals within designated urban areas of Port Albert must now maintain finished floor levels at a minimum of 0.8 metres AHD (Australian Height Datum) above sea level, to align with both West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) guidelines and state government planning policy.
Building in a flood-prone area is a ‘non-sitting matter’ that requires Report and Consent under the Victorian Building Regulations, however council has decided to continue to waive…
