Building in areas liable to flooding

in accordance with Regulation 153 (2) of the Building Regulations 2018, the report and consent of the relevant Council must be obtained to build in areas liable to flooding.

A property may be subject to flooding from a Council drainage network and/or from a Melbourne Water drainage network or waterway.

When assessing an application to build in areas subject to flooding, Council must refer the application to Melbourne Water if the property is subject to flooding from a Melbourne Water drainage network or waterway, unless a recent Melbourne Water approval has been obtained and provided as part of the application.

Subject to the severity of the flooding on the property, Council may require a drainage report including two-dimensional flood modelling. If this is required, Council will request this through the report and consent application process or through a Statutory Planning Permit application process if applicable. 

Council’s assessment of a development proposal is generally based upon the Guidelines for Development in Flood Affected Areas prepared by the Department Environment Land, Water and Planning.

Read more on flooding from a Council drainage network

Construction on designated land or designated works

In accordance with Regulations 154 (1) of the Building Regulations 2018, the report and consent of the relevant Council must be obtained for construction of a building on designated land or designated works.

In accordance with the Water Act 1989, Melbourne Water declare designated land or designated works which is generally land abutting or within 20m of a Melbourne Water drainage network or waterway. Accordingly, Council must refer all applications for a report and consent to Melbourne Water.

It is recommended that applicants obtain Melbourne Waters approval prior to applying to Council for the report and consent.

Apply to Melbourne Water

Application process

See application process to build in areas liable to flooding

Fee

A fee of $311.80 is payable with your application, in accordance with Regulation 36 of the Building Regulations 2018.