Swan Hill Rural City Council has officially released the Swan Hill and Robinvale Drainage Strategy, providing a clear blueprint to guide stormwater management in both towns - now and into the future.
Council’s Director of Infrastructure, Leah Johnston, said the strategy presents a comprehensive response to ongoing stormwater challenges, offering practical solutions to issues exacerbated by flat terrain, ageing infrastructure and continued urban growth.
Mayor Cr Stuart King said the strategy marks an important step in protecting the municipality from the impacts of severe weather events.
“This strategy is underpinned by robust technical modelling and meaningful community consultation.
“It identifies stormwater flooding prone areas, proposes targeted mitigation measures, and positions our towns to be more resilient in the face of future storm events.
We are now encouraging residents to review the strategy and share their feedback on the proposed solutions,” Cr King said.
Ms Johnston said the strategy revealed a range of drainage concerns across Swan Hill and Robinvale, including undersized and blocked pipes, limited drainage infrastructure, and insufficient pump station capacity - issues made more complex by the region’s flat landscape.
“Through the use of advanced two-dimensional flood modelling software, known as TUFLOW, the strategy will guide the staged implementation of high-priority drainage projects, supported by detailed design, cost-benefit assessments and future funding applications,” she said.
Cr King said the strategy would also play a key role in shaping smarter and more resilient planning decisions by providing Council with accurate and detailed flood data to inform future development and stormwater infrastructure upgrades.
“While planning applications will continue to be assessed under existing controls, this strategy will give Council officers a much clearer understanding of drainage impacts, ensuring that new developments are designed with long-term flood resilience in mind,” he said. “This is about being certain that we are getting the best possible return on investment both financially and in respect of improving conditions for the maximum number of residents. Stormwater infrastructure is very expensive so we want our investment to be targeted.”
Cr King extended his thanks to the local community for their involvement, acknowledging the valuable feedback received through surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder discussions. “Community input was instrumental in identifying flood hotspots and shaping the solutions outlined in this strategy. Local knowledge has helped us create a plan that is both technically sound and tailored to our region’s unique needs.”
Click here to find out more, review the Swan Hill and Robinvale Drainage Strategy or to submit your comments.