Barham River Flood Study

Colac Otway Shire Council, in partnership with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, have commenced a review of the potential impacts of flooding at the townships of Apollo Bay and Marengo from the Barham River and its tributaries.

The purpose of the project is to improve the understanding of the flood conditions in the Barham River catchment and emergency management implications.

Findings from the project will be used to:

  • Update flood mapping and provisions in the Colac Otway Planning Scheme.
  • Inform flood management and emergency response planning.

Cumulus Engineering Pty Ltd has been engaged to undertake the Flood Study.  The scope of project tasks will include:

  • Hydrologic and hydraulic computer modelling.
  • Flood projections that include climate change analysis.
  • Floor level survey and Annual Average Damages Assessment.
  • Recommended improvements to flood warnings and emergency response activities.
  • Recommended updates to the Colac Otway Municipal Flood Emergency Plan and VicSES’s Floodsafe Program to improve community resilience.
  • Draft planning scheme amendment documentation where required.

Community and other stakeholders can share their thoughts and local knowledge with the Project Team at a Community Drop-In Session on Saturday 11 October 2025 at the Apollo Bay Bowls Club, between 10.30am and 1.30pm.  Or just come along to find out more about the project.

Visit Council's Have Your Say page and provide your feedback to the study.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a flood study and why is it being conducted?

A flood study assesses the risk and extent of flooding in an area.  Flood studies help to identify flood-prone areas and recommend measures to mitigate flood risks.  It also helps government make informed decisions about zoning, land use, and infrastructure provision.

The information generated by this flood modelling will be used by the Colac Otway Shire Council and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to inform the application of flood overlays in the Colac Otway Planning Scheme.

The information will also be used by VICSES and the Colac Otway Shire Council to plan flood response activities and mitigation measures.

What area will be covered by the flood study?

The project will provide a detailed flood study of the Barham River and its tributaries, including Anderson Creek.

How will the flood study affect my property?

If your property is within the study area, and identified as at risk from flooding, there may be a recommendation to apply a flood overlay to your land or part of your land.

Application of a flood overlay to your land will require a separate process, called a Planning Scheme Amendment.  This process would follow completion of the flood study project.

What is a flood overlay?

There are three overlays that can be applied to flood prone land including the Floodway Overlay (FO), Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO) and Special Building Overlay (SBO).

The flood overlays are specifically designed to identify land with particular flood characteristics and ensure that use and development of flood prone land is compatible with the level of flood risk.  This is managed through the planning permit process.

How can I get involved in the public consultation process at this stage?

  • You can attend a Community Open House session on Saturday 11 October 2025 at the Apollo Bay Bowls Club.  Drop in anytime between 10:30am and 1:30pm.  Meet the Project Team and share your local knowledge and experience.
  • You can use the online mapping portal to record your information and comments.

Once the draft flood study has been prepared, there will be a formal period for public comment.  Details of the public exhibition process will be notified to all residents and landowners in the study area in due course.

 

Will impacts from future changes in climate be included in the flood study?

The flood study will be undertaken using the latest Australian Rainfall and Runoff Guidelines (Version 4.2, updated August 2024).  Projected temperature increases that generate changes in rainfall patterns and volumes are factored into the flood modelling methodology as standard practice.

How long will the flood study take?

The flood study project is expected to take approximately 12 months.

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